as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—
The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Francis expanded the College of Cardinals beyond the large dioceses and archdioceses to create geographic and cultural diversity and to better represent the makeup of the laity and where the church is growing.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Examples of some of these key changes under Francis were revised procedures for an assembly of bishops known as a synod by allowing women and laity to participate, and his appointment of women to lead certain Vatican agencies.
—Liam Adams, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Francis expanded the College of Cardinals beyond the large dioceses and archdioceses to create geographic and cultural diversity and to better represent the makeup of the laity and where the church is growing.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
As during the Protestant Reformation, the theological divide has extended beyond the clergy to the laity and the common faithful in the pew.
—Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
-
No services tonight due to a fire at the church building.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Since then, the case has been tied up in court as Morris and the church attempt to agree on an arbitrator.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Holy Ghost Catholic Church Church leaders told CBS Colorado that the statues have been part of the parish since 1924 and were placed near the front doors when the upper portion of the building was completed in 1943.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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There are 14 open judicial seats in the parish, and candidates choose among three districts in which to run.—
Richard A. Webster,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Members of the congregation can decide to extend Good Friday fasting until the Easter vigil.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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He was asked to anoint one member of his congregation, a Guatemalan immigrant who worked at a local meatpacking plant and often came to the church before work to pray.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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