Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

refectory

noun re·fec·to·ry \ ri-ˈfek-t(ə-)rē \

Definition of refectory

plural refectories
: a dining hall (as in a monastery or college)

See refectory defined for English-language learners

See refectory defined for kids

Recent Examples of refectory from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of refectory

Middle English, from Anglo-French refectorie, from Late Latin refectorium, from Latin reficere

REFECTORY Defined for English Language Learners

refectory

noun

Definition of refectory for English Language Learners

  • : a large room where meals are served at a place (such as a seminary or monastery) where many people live

Learn More about refectory

  1. See words that rhyme with refectory

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up refectory? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

paste

play

to beat or defeat soundly

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  2. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  3. uphold 'to let stand'

  4. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

  5. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

refectory

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games