abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈa-bət 

: the superior of a monastery for men

Examples of abbot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The court found that Shi used his positions, including as the temple abbot, to illegally embezzle more than $19 million alone or in conspiracy with others, between 2003 and 2025, CCTV reported. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

According to a relative of Nathan who provided some of the sources Amit studied, the abbot reportedly also wrote letters to the Vatican and to monasteries in Switzerland pleading for a safe exit for Wolfgang. —Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

The abbot of Wat Saman Rattanaram in Chachoengsao province, about 50 miles east of Bangkok, warned that cremation services may have to be suspended. —Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 22 Mar. 2026

Phommasan, a native of Laos and abbot at a Buddhist temple in Snellville, was recently fitted with a prosthetic leg at Mercer University. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbot, abbod, going back to Old English, borrowed from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās, borrowed from Late Greek abbâs (also, a title of respect given to monks), borrowed from Aramaic abbā "father"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for abbot

• habit
• rabbit
• sabot
• shabbat
• cohabit
• inhabit
• jackrabbit

Kids Definition

abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈab-ət 

: the head of a monastery for men