monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmä-nə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a house for persons under religious vows

especially : an establishment for monks

Synonyms

• cloister
• abbey

Examples of monastery in a Sentence

Gregory Mendel worked out his concepts of genetics by doing breeding experiments using pea plants in the monastery's garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

Strike on Myanmar monastery kills 23 BANGKOK -- An airstrike on a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar's central Sagaing region killed at least 23 people who were taking shelter in the compound, separate sources said Friday. —arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025

What are the Spanish Steps? Build between 1723 and 1726, the Spanish Steps lead from the iconic Piazza di Spagna square to the French monastery church Trinita dei Monti, according to Rome's tourist site. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 22 June 2025

The Lowdown The 10th-century monastery has been reborn as a 15-bedroom retreat on a private 5,000-acre estate near the Castilian village of Baltanás. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 June 2025

The team also facilitated a guest’s purchase of nearly 4,500 pounds of rice to donate to a monastery in Bhutan, as well as a celebration-of-life remembrance ceremony in the Serengeti for another’s deceased loved one, led by Masai elders. —Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monasterie, from Late Latin monasterium, from Late Greek monastērion, from Greek, hermit's cell, from monazein to live alone, from monos single — more at monk

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monastery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmän-ə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a place where a community of monks or nuns live and work

monasterial

ˌmän-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl

adjective