abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: a monastery ruled by an abbot

b

: a convent ruled by an abbess

2

: an abbey church

Synonyms of abbey

• monastery
• cloister

Examples of abbey in a Sentence

the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Recent Examples on the Web

The complex, which includes an 11th-century Benedictine abbey and a 16th-century basilica, is revered for its Black Madonna statue and is home to a boy's choir that has existed since the 13th century and is Europe's oldest. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

The complex, which includes an 11th-century Benedictine abbey and a 16th-century basilica, is revered for its Black Madonna statue and is home to a boy’s choir that has existed since the 13th century and is Europe’s oldest. —Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

Projected within an historic abbey and using footage of Monet in his gardens, the work creates a meditative dialogue between natural rhythms, memory and the passage of time. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Georgian Orthodox nuns living in a nearby abbey served us a hearty lunch of lentil soup, beef patties and cheese pie. —Lori Rackl, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbeye, abbay, borrowed from Anglo-French abeie, abbaye, borrowed from Medieval Latin abbātia "abbacy, abbey," from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās abbot + Latin -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for abbey

• abbe
• cabbie
• cabby
• flabby
• gabby
• gaby
• scabby
• shabby
• tabby

Kids Definition

abbey

noun

ab·​bey ˈab-ē 

plural abbeys

1

a

: monastery

b

: convent

2

: a church that once belonged to an abbey

Westminster Abbey

Biographical Definition

Abbey

biographical name

Ab·​bey ˈa-bē 

Edwin Austin 1852–1911 American painter and illustrator