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.
Synonyms & Similar 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
Debate over Communion for Divorced Catholics That document opened discussions about Communion for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, spurring debate among clergy and laity.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
This shift helped to support a general festive culture, as laity found creative ways to fund their local churches.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
Generosity and Buddhist laity Without donations, Buddhist temples and monastic institutions could not exist.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
In some temples, a monk’s duty is to sit inside one of the main halls and wait until the laity comes to receive offerings and give blessings.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
This shift helped to support a general festive culture, as laity found creative ways to fund their local churches.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2025
Generosity and Buddhist laity Without donations, Buddhist temples and monastic institutions could not exist.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
In some temples, a monk’s duty is to sit inside one of the main halls and wait until the laity comes to receive offerings and give blessings.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
-
The liberal justices on the court sought to defend the country’s separation between church and state, which has previously not allowed public funding for religious charter schools.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
In 1840, the church opened the first of an eventual fifteen liberal arts colleges, all free-thinking, abolitionist, and dedicated to educating men and women on an equal basis.—
Richard D. Mahoney,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the South Bay, Diocese of San Jose Bishop Oscar Cantu says that Pope Francis was a refreshing voice to members of the 53 parishes throughout the diocese, where half offer Spanish masses.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Hailing from the parish of St. Catherine, near the capital of Kingston, Blake found early joy in feeding people—namely his many siblings and his hardworking mother and father.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In 1949, the building was sold to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation and renamed Clayborn Temple, according to the release.—
Adrian Sainz and Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
The congregations will continue daily, starting at 9 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) except for on May 1 and May 4.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share