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
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
Barber shops as safe spaces Outside of the clergy, Lewis said, perhaps no other profession witnesses a community’s life changes as closely as barbers and stylists do, from high school graduations to the birth of a child to the pain of a divorce.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024
In times of personal or community crisis, for example, clergy or other religious leaders can certainly be called upon as support for those who feel the need.
—David Kay, Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2024
The Board of Correction rule change allowed recording except for calls involving the Board of Correction, the Department of Investigation and other oversight agencies, doctors, lawyers and clergy.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
The diocese released a list of clergy accused in 2021 including 64 ordained as early as 1906.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for clergy 
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024
In times of personal or community crisis, for example, clergy or other religious leaders can certainly be called upon as support for those who feel the need.
—David Kay, Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2024
The Board of Correction rule change allowed recording except for calls involving the Board of Correction, the Department of Investigation and other oversight agencies, doctors, lawyers and clergy.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
The diocese released a list of clergy accused in 2021 including 64 ordained as early as 1906.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for clergy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clergy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clergy
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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