abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: a monastery ruled by an abbot

b

: a convent ruled by an abbess

2

: an abbey church

Synonyms of abbey

• monastery
• cloister

Examples of abbey in a Sentence

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Recent Examples on the Web

Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

Connolly was the floral artistic director for the Prince and Princess of Wales' April 2011 wedding day and brought in six field maples, two hornbeams and almost 30,000 flowers to decorate the abbey. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Before the church authorities moved the nuns into care almost two years ago, the local abbey and Archdiocese of Salzburg acquired the convent. —Esme Nicholson, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025

Nestled between Lyon and Grenoble in southeastern France, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is famed for its Gothic abbey, cobblestone streets, and centuries-old stone houses. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for abbey

• abbe
• cabbie
• cabby
• flabby
• gabby
• gaby
• scabby
• shabby
• tabby

Kids Definition

abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈab-ē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: monastery

b

: convent

2

: a church that once belonged to an abbey

Westminster Abbey

Biographical Definition

Abbey

biographical name

Ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

Edwin Austin 1852–1911 American painter and illustrator