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
Top clergy have issued fatwas, or edicts, on how to rein in climate change.
—
Sui-Lee Wee Ulet Ifansasti, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Some clergy view the ban on abortions as favoring Christian values and ignoring other religions' tenets.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clergy 
Sui-Lee Wee Ulet Ifansasti, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Some clergy view the ban on abortions as favoring Christian values and ignoring other religions' tenets.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 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 4 May. 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
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