Reverend Mother
noun
: a woman who is the head of a convent
—often used as a form of address
Good morning, Reverend Mother.
Examples of Reverend Mother in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Whishaw is back as the marmalade-sandwich-loving Paddington, and Olivia Colman joins the cast as a suspicious Reverend Mother.
—
Laura Martin, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025
Early on, there’s a singalong where the retirement home’s Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) belts to the hills with the sound of music.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The plot kicks off when the Reverend Mother (a delightful Olivia Colman), who runs the Home for Retired Bears, pens a dire message to Paddington about his beloved Aunt Lucy.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
In a recent conversation with Parents, Antonio Banderas who plays Hunter Cabot, and Olivia Colman who plays Reverend Mother, agree that the real treasure in life is truly being loved and being able to love others back.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
Yet there’s a clear MVP here, and that’s Olivia Colman’s Reverend Mother.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Emily Watson stars as Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, who leads the Sisterhood and has a close ally in her sister, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Torn between his conflicting loyalties to Francesca, the Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), and Reverend Mother Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), Javicco chose to take his own life.
—EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The disagreement surfaced in April 2023 after Olson accused their Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach of breaking her chastity vows by having an online love affair with Father Philip Johnson, a former priest from the diocese in Raleigh, N.C., per Chron.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
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.
Laura Martin, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025
Early on, there’s a singalong where the retirement home’s Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman) belts to the hills with the sound of music.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The plot kicks off when the Reverend Mother (a delightful Olivia Colman), who runs the Home for Retired Bears, pens a dire message to Paddington about his beloved Aunt Lucy.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
In a recent conversation with Parents, Antonio Banderas who plays Hunter Cabot, and Olivia Colman who plays Reverend Mother, agree that the real treasure in life is truly being loved and being able to love others back.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
Yet there’s a clear MVP here, and that’s Olivia Colman’s Reverend Mother.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025
Emily Watson stars as Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, who leads the Sisterhood and has a close ally in her sister, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen.
—Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Torn between his conflicting loyalties to Francesca, the Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), and Reverend Mother Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), Javicco chose to take his own life.
—EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The disagreement surfaced in April 2023 after Olson accused their Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach of breaking her chastity vows by having an online love affair with Father Philip Johnson, a former priest from the diocese in Raleigh, N.C., per Chron.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Reverend Mother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Reverend%20Mother. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share