abbot
noun
\
Definition of abbot
: the superior of a monastery for men
Examples of abbot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The former abbot, subsequently stripped of his monastic rank, managed to evade capture and flee the country. — George Styllis, Washington Post, "Thai crackdown targets Buddhist monks amid accusations of embezzlement and fraud," 24 June 2018 This was a condition from Father Samuel, its French abbot, to help maintain his order's privacy, because, while the skincare products his brothers produce may be quite modern, the way of life here is anything but. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Town & Country, "Fresh's Crème Ancienne is Handmade by Monks in a Czech Monastary," 1 Nov. 2016 Tohaku’s patrons included abbots of important Kyoto temples; the leading tea master, Sen no Rikyu; and chief minister Toyotomi Hideyoshi. — Lee Lawrence, WSJ, "‘A Giant Leap: The Transformation of Hasegawa Tohaku’ Review," 25 Apr. 2018 But the basilica’s abbot stopped the preliminary work for their exhumation for nearly two years by appealing the judge’s decision, until top Catholic Church authorities ordered him earlier this year to comply with the judge’s ruling. — Washington Post, "Spain resumes controversial exhumations near Franco’s tomb," 23 Apr. 2018 After decades of contented toil as an abbot and gardener, the father of genetics died in relative obscurity. — Emily Bobrow, WSJ, "‘The Art of the Wasted Day’ Review: Fallen Idylls," 13 Apr. 2018 Wirathu, the abbot of the Masoeyein monastery in Mandalay, has taken a leading role in spreading the anti-Muslim sentiment among Myanmar’s Buddhist majority that has underpinned the army’s campaign against the ethnic Rohingya minority. — James Hookway, WSJ, "Buddhist Leader Spreads Hatred of Muslims in Myanmar," 12 Oct. 2017 Vanna Sara, a Buddhist abbot at Sittwe’s Seik Ke Daw Min monastery, said harsh policies were necessary to protect Buddhists. — Washington Post, "In Myanmar, one girl’s plight epitomizes Rohingya struggle," 5 July 2017 The glass encased skeleton at Wat Pah Nanachat, a forest monastery in northeast Thailand, belonged to a local woman years before the former abbot had her bones disinterred and put on show in the meditation hall. — Joseph Hincks / Hong Kong, Time, "This Is How It Feels to Eat 13-Year-Old Steak," 30 Aug. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abbot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for abbot
abbot
noun
English Language Learners Definition of abbot
: a man who is the head of a monastery
See the full definition for abbot in the English Language Learners Dictionary
abbot
noun
\
Kids Definition of abbot
: the head of an abbey for men
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on abbot
What made you want to look up abbot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
A mythological/etymological mashup!
Take the quiz -
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share abbot
Resources for abbot