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

The purchase included 3,700 acres of Colorado’s most prime land, senior water rights and several monastery buildings. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026

Indu and Mahipal run a Hindu monastery, or ashram, in India called Hanslok that was founded by Mahipal’s father. —Bernadette Toh, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

The backstory The building in which Splendido makes its fabulous home was first built in the 16th century as a Benedictine monastery. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

It will be shown in the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Pianto, an octagonal church and monastery facing the Venetian lagoon. —News Desk, Artforum, 14 Jan. 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