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
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
Despite their contributions and support, this is all in jeopardy, Arana said before attending a prayer vigil for them featuring Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and local clergy on June 10.
—
Terry Collins, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Chicago Tribune Many of Madigan’s backers are people with personal or political ties that run long and deep, such as current and former lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers, judges, campaign contributors, ward heelers, labor leaders, clergy and, of course, family.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compare d to other reporting professionals.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Leo's response will set the tone for his approach to Beijing’s increasingly overt challenges to Vatican authority, as well as its persecution of underground Catholic clergy in a country that is home to approximately 20 million Catholics.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
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Terry Collins, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Chicago Tribune Many of Madigan’s backers are people with personal or political ties that run long and deep, such as current and former lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers, judges, campaign contributors, ward heelers, labor leaders, clergy and, of course, family.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compare d to other reporting professionals.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Leo's response will set the tone for his approach to Beijing’s increasingly overt challenges to Vatican authority, as well as its persecution of underground Catholic clergy in a country that is home to approximately 20 million Catholics.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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