abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈa-bət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the superior of a monastery for men

Examples of abbot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The abbot told him to begin every morning by performing exactly 108 bows, a meditation exercise in Korean Buddhism. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024 In the 12th century, the abbots of Crowland constructed a hall and chapel complex at the site, which were also uncovered during the recent digs. Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 The finances of the monasteries are opaque, and little supervision was introduced even after an abbot with ties to Russian oligarchs was jailed in Greece for embezzlement and fraud in 2011 over a lucrative land deal. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 By the 12th century, the abbots of Crowland build a large hall and chapel complex on the site, which still stand today. Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abbot 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abbot.' 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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abbot was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near abbot

Cite this Entry

“Abbot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbot. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

abbot

noun
ab·​bot ˈab-ət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the head of a monastery for men
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!