monastic

adjective mo·nas·tic \ mə-ˈnas-tik \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of monastic

1 : of or relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns

the rituals of monastic life

2 : resembling (as in seclusion or ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery

shows a monastic dedication to his job

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monastic

noun

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monastically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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monasticism

play \-tə-ˌsi-zəm\ noun

See monastic defined for English-language learners

See monastic defined for kids

Examples of monastic in a Sentence

He founded a monastic order in Belgium.
He shows a monastic dedication to his job.
She studied for the test with monastic zeal.

Recent Examples of monastic from the Web

That meant athletics, serious academics, military service, even monastic life.

— daniel lee, WSJ, "The Best Way to Learn Gun Safety Is With Real Guns," 30 Mar. 2018
Which is why those who really want to retreat from news coverage of Trump era have to also give up on politics and pursue a truly monastic existence.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "The Delusions of Trump-Era Escapism," 19 Mar. 2018
Students breeze through a grassy quad dotted with religious statues, relics of the site’s monastic past.

— ben teitelbaum, SI.com, "A Dream Re-Routed: Deported Maryland Brothers Seek Options, Play on After Being Banished," 27 Feb. 2018
Its spiritual heritage includes contemplative prayer, study, preaching, and communal life, all grounded in the monastic tradition of the Church, according to the DSOPR website.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Our Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary convent in Milwaukee listed for sale," 12 Jan. 2018
But your alternative to griping isn’t a monastic, offline existence.

— rob pegoraro, USA TODAY, "Curb how Facebook, Google and Amazon use your personal data in a quick privacy clean-up," 3 Jan. 2018
The monastic grounds, near the north end of O'Neill Regional Park, are embedded in the natural terrain of the canyon.

— ben brazil, latimes.com, "The monastery amid O.C.'s mania," 16 Feb. 2018
But his driving ambition led to alcoholism, years of fascination with fascism and, trying to lead his employees by example, into a life of almost monastic frugalities.

— robert d. mcfadden, New York Times, "Ingvar Kamprad, Founder of Ikea and Creator of a Global Empire, Dies at 91," 28 Jan. 2018
This relocation was also due to the monastic life in Ireland moving away from the ascetic Celtic model with its emphasis on solitude to the more engaged Augustinian Church.

— julia blakely, Smithsonian, "The True History of Luke Skywalker’s Monastic Retreat," 11 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monastic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of monastic

circa 1563

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

MONASTIC Defined for English Language Learners

monastic

adjective

Definition of monastic for English Language Learners

: of or relating to monks or monasteries
: resembling or suggesting a monk or the life of a monk

MONASTIC Defined for Kids

monastic

adjective mo·nas·tic \ mə-ˈna-stik \

Definition of monastic for Students

: of or relating to monks or monasteries

He took monastic vows.

Learn More about monastic

See words that rhyme with monastic Spanish Central: Translation of monastic Nglish: Translation of monastic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of monastic for Arabic speakers

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monastic

Definition of monastic

monastic

monastically

monasticism

Examples of monastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of monastic from the Web

First Known Use of monastic

Other Christian Religious Terms

MONASTIC Defined for English Language Learners

monastic

Definition of monastic for English Language Learners

MONASTIC Defined for Kids

monastic

Definition of monastic for Students

Learn More about monastic

Seen and Heard

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