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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of laity
But the next pope will also lead a U.S. laity with some differences within it.
—
Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 7 May 2025
Kevin Cardinal Farrell headed the Vatican’s family and laity office and is currently the one tasked with running the Holy See in the interval between a pope’s death and the election of the next one.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 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
Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 7 May 2025
Kevin Cardinal Farrell headed the Vatican’s family and laity office and is currently the one tasked with running the Holy See in the interval between a pope’s death and the election of the next one.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 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
-
Roberson, leader of the church since 2023, has also opened the doors of the Cathedral from Monday-Saturday for tours, prayers or anyone walking by who needs a quick respite from the Miami heat.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
-
One recent Sunday evening, about 200 filled a Cincinnati church where preachers from several faith backgrounds urged them to demand his freedom.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The parish celebrated its first Mass since the shooting in an auditorium Saturday evening, with Father Dennis Zehren recalling the moments the shots rang out.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Being a small congregation, that wasn't a small investment.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Fuller will continue to lead the church’s congregation and fulfill his responsibilities as the pulpit minister, church officials said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share