monastery

mon-as-ter-y · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A building or complex of buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows.

  2. 2.

    The community of monks living in such a place.

Forms

plural: monasteries

Related words

See also: abbey, convent, monk
Synonyms: abbey, cloister, convent, priory

Etymology

From Late Latin monasterium, from Greek monasterion (hermit's cell), from monazein (to live alone), from monos (alone).