convent

1 of 2

noun

con·​vent ˈkän-vənt How to pronounce convent (audio)
-ˌvent
: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation
especially : an establishment of nuns

convent

2 of 2

verb

con·​vent kən-ˈvent How to pronounce convent (audio)
convented; conventing; convents
obsolete

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Founded as the Ocean View Hotel in the late 1800s, the property now operates as a seaside convent offering private retreats. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2023 Together with Sister Cleo, an 88-year-old nun who belongs to the convent's Sisters of St. Francis, Meyer runs a small ice cream shop out of his store, the town's former bank building. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Mar. 2023 Since becoming the first pope in six centuries to step down from the job, Benedict has been living in a Vatican convent. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2022 The property changed hands in 1871 and later became a convent. Lauren Beale, Forbes, 3 June 2022 One house was the school, while the other was a convent and dormitory. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022 Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent. Justin Ray, Robb Report, 1 May 2023 Join a nunnery, there'll always be a place for you in the convent. Rachel Tashjian, BostonGlobe.com, 1 May 2023 Even his final chapter — as a retiree — has extended so long that many in Rome have grown accustomed to having a Catholic Church with two men in white, Benedict living quietly in a Vatican convent. Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English covent, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin conventus, from Latin, assembly, from convenire

Verb

Latin conventus, past participle of convenire

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1514, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of convent was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near convent

Cite this Entry

“Convent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convent. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

convent

noun
con·​vent
ˈkän-vənt,
-ˌvent
1
: a community of nuns living together
2
: a house or set of buildings occupied by nuns
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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