monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery
also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Barghouti has spent more than 20 years in prison and is serving five life sentences after his 2004 conviction for the murder of four Israelis and a Greek Orthodox monk during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising. Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025 The nomination was supported by thousands of Cambodian Buddhist monks who took part in a peace march shortly after. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 That’s not a plea to live like a monk. Morgan Housel, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025 One of the first key players introduced is Dairon, a shadowy monk known as an Expositor voiced in the series by Ming-Na Wen (Mulan; The Mandalorian). Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monk

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monk was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monk. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

monk

noun
ˈməŋk
: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community
monkish
ˈməŋ-kish
adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician

More from Merriam-Webster on monk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!