abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈa-bət 

: the superior of a monastery for men

Examples of abbot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ælfwig is a slightly stronger contender, according to the study, as he was known to have been a monk at Westminster before becoming abbot and may therefore have had a clearer connection to the church. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Variations on this legend suggest that the monk had broken his monastic vows, that the creation of the book in a single night was a deal offered by the monastery’s abbot, and that the book was intended to glorify his monastery. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Two Anglo-Saxon abbots are in the running, according to a new archaeology study. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

After one of the crusades, an abbot had brought back a handful of soil, supposedly from Golgotha, and strewn it on the abbey grounds. — Kristin Idaszak, Longreads, 22 Oct. 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