abbey

noun

ab·bey | \ ˈa-bē

plural abbeys

Definition of abbey

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a monastery ruled by an abbot

b : a convent ruled by an abbess

2 : an abbey church

Abbey

biographical name

Ab·bey | \ ˈa-bē

Definition of Abbey (Entry 2 of 2)

Edwin Austin 1852–1911 American painter and illustrator

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about abbey

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Examples of abbey in a Sentence

Noun

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

When the Queen was seen walking through the doors of the abbey, Meghan (in white) was seen lowering herself into a curtsy, then Kate (in red) followed. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Curtsy to the Queen in Westminster Abbey," 11 Mar. 2019 The Museum of Fine Arts, in a former abbey on the Presqu’ile, has an impressive collection ranging from Egyptian antiquities to Impressionist paintings, and its inner courtyard is a pleasant place to take a peaceful break from city streets. — Rick Steves' Europe, The Seattle Times, "Loving Lyon: France’s culinary capital is off the tourist path," 20 Feb. 2019 Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Valladolid, Spain A two-hour drive north of Madrid will get you to this massive converted Baroque-Romanesque abbey surrounded by vineyards. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Hotels in Europe: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018 Through 1948, more than 60 Jews were buried in a cemetery on the monastery’s perimeter, next to one for the monks who served at the abbey. — Emanuella Grinberg, Smithsonian, "When a Bavarian Monastery Provided a Home to Jewish Refugees," 11 July 2018 With space at a premium, the abbey stopped conducting burials in the early part of the last century, though this was not a completely smooth process. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Stephen Hawking Enters ‘Britain’s Valhalla,’ Where Space Is Tight," 15 June 2018 The architects Henri Tauzin and Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, marquee names in Paris at the time, were hired for the project and chose to build on the remains of an abbey and its gardens that neighbored Le Bon Marche. — New York Times, "An Enduring Paris Hotel in a New Light," 1 June 2018 The basilica is run by Benedictine priests who live in an adjacent abbey. — Raphael Minder, New York Times, "Plan to Exhume Franco Renews Spain’s Wrestle With History," 7 July 2018 Afterward, the bride and groom left the abbey for a wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace. — Chanel Vargas, Town & Country, "The Story of Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Day," 4 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abbey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.