abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈa-bē How to pronounce abbey (audio)
plural abbeys
1
a
: a monastery ruled by an abbot
b
: a convent ruled by an abbess
2
: an abbey church

Examples of abbey in a Sentence

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables
Recent Examples on the Web All guests of La Ferme have access to the facilities of the abbey and a shuttle is available to transport them back and forth. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 The Irish monk Columba settled on Iona in the sixth century and founded an abbey that became a center of Gaelic Christianity. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 In its previous lives, this 12th century abbey was a Cistercian center, a Rothschild estate, a site of German occupation in World War II. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Groff reimagines the real-life 12th-century mystic poet Marie de France into a nun who, bit by bit, transforms her impoverished abbey into a feminist utopia. Constance Grady, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abbey 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abbey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbeye, abbay, borrowed from Anglo-French abeie, abbaye, borrowed from Medieval Latin abbātia "abbacy, abbey," from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās abbot + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of abbey was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abbey

Cite this Entry

“Abbey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbey. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

abbey

noun
ab·​bey ˈab-ē How to pronounce abbey (audio)
plural abbeys
1
a
b
2
: a church that once belonged to an abbey
Westminster Abbey

Biographical Definition

Abbey

biographical name

Ab·​bey ˈa-bē How to pronounce Abbey (audio)
Edwin Austin 1852–1911 American painter and illustrator

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