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

Decades of political repression followed, including the demolition of some Buddhist monasteries and the suppression of all forms of political or cultural expression outside Communist Party control. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Eleven of the deceased victims were buried at the monastery; the remaining three were transported to their hometowns, Ababu said. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

The backstory Once a 14th-century Dominican monastery, this property transports you to another time. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

The relief was originally stolen in 2010 as part of a coordinated robbery of six hermitages, two churches, and the monastery in Navarre. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 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
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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