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
But most innocuous follow-up questions about a clergy member’s calling would reveal that information, even if indirectly.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Previously, only cardinals and patriarchs could celebrate a papal funeral; opening it to all clergy is in keeping with Francis’ effort to create a humbler, less top-down image of the church.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
From his early years in Argentina to his rise in the clergy ranks, see Pope Francis' journey to Vatican City
Comments
Before he was elected Pope Francis in 2013, he was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
If Episcopal clergy like me offer Easter confessional language in church, why shouldn’t a fellow Christian offer witness from a government website?
—Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2025
Previously, only cardinals and patriarchs could celebrate a papal funeral; opening it to all clergy is in keeping with Francis’ effort to create a humbler, less top-down image of the church.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
From his early years in Argentina to his rise in the clergy ranks, see Pope Francis' journey to Vatican City
Comments
Before he was elected Pope Francis in 2013, he was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
If Episcopal clergy like me offer Easter confessional language in church, why shouldn’t a fellow Christian offer witness from a government website?
—Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 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 7 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share