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

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 And Britain’s largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is blessed with an abundance of Roman sites, abbeys, gardens and castles. — New York Times, "36 Hours in the Cotswolds," 17 May 2018 The hilltop abbey, whose origins date to the 10th century, and surrounding sites attract more than 2 million visitors every year. — Sheila Norman-culp, The Seattle Times, "Tourists at iconic French abbey evacuated after threat," 22 Apr. 2018 The former 14th century monastery is stunningly renovated, and its pan-Asian eatery Spices offers plush outdoor lounge seating and a zen-like ambiance, protected from street sounds thanks to tall abbey walls. — Kat Odell, Vogue, "Where to Find the Fruits of Prague’s Food Revolution," 7 July 2018 By then the abbey’s association with literary figures — the genesis of its Poets’ Corner — had begun to take hold. — New York Times, BostonGlobe.com, "Hawking laid to rest in Westminster Abbey," 15 June 2018 Police said the unnamed man was arrested Sunday night in the city of Caen, around 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Mont-Saint-Michel abbey that was closed earlier that day after death threats were made against security services. — Fox News, "Man arrested over Mont-Saint-Michel incident," 23 Apr. 2018 Both wore dark suede spike heels on the cobblestones outside the abbey. — Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Meghan Markle joins queen in first official appearance together," 12 Mar. 2018

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.