clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

1

: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church

Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

2

: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

Buddhist clergy

Synonyms of clergy

• church
• episcopate

Examples of clergy in a Sentence

Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

a member of the clergy

Recent Examples on the Web

Flanked by several clergy members of various denominations, Dolan, 76, thanked his former colleagues, as well as civic and community officials, before praising Jesus Christ for his lengthy career in the church. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

Guided by Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill, the leaders pointed to low voter turnout numbers in the south suburbs and urged the audience to mobilize neighbors, clergy and even the people sitting around their dinner tables to vote in the November midterm elections. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

There have been several cases of clergy abusing children in Sri Lanka, but the latest arrest involves the most senior monk to be accused of such a crime. —CBS News, 11 May 2026

The man in 1963 who became the spokesman of the ultra right in the Iranian clergy was Ruhollah Khomeini. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clergy

• benefit of clergy

Kids Definition

clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services