monastery

noun

mon·​as·​tery ˈmä-nə-ˌster-ē 

plural monasteries

: a house for persons under religious vows

especially : an establishment for monks

Synonyms of monastery

• 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

Save the monastery, or the life of one individual monk. —Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

For her clients seeking to go beyond the Greek islands, Evyssa Vacations’ Dali organizes exclusive truffle hunting outings in Metsovo, home to the Vlach shepherd community; stays atop a private mountain at the Grand Forest Metsovo; and visits to Meteora monasteries in the nearby Thessaly. —Yulia Denisyuk, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026

The 13th-century Dominican friary had been redeveloped for more secular uses after the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII in the mid-16th century. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

Among them were 19 Catholics, including seven Trappist monks from the Tibhirine monastery south of Algiers, who were kidnapped and killed in 1996 by Islamic fighters. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

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