plural clergies
1
: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church
Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
2
: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion
Buddhist clergy
Examples of clergy in a Sentence
Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
a member of the clergy
Recent Examples on the Web
The sit-in inspired similar ones around North Carolina and a national movement with 700,000 students, clergy members and others fighting for racial equality.
—
Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
While the clergy and staff of North Orange County’s synagogues – Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Beth Ohr and Chabad of Yorba Linda – prepare for the services ahead, hundreds of local kitchens are abuzz with preparations for the celebratory meal launching the holiday.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The boycott, which was spearheaded by black clergy, began in March.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
He was further influenced after learning that the FBI often calls on priests, rabbis and other clergy members to counsel victims at mass-casualty events.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
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Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025
While the clergy and staff of North Orange County’s synagogues – Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Beth Ohr and Chabad of Yorba Linda – prepare for the services ahead, hundreds of local kitchens are abuzz with preparations for the celebratory meal launching the holiday.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
The boycott, which was spearheaded by black clergy, began in March.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
He was further influenced after learning that the FBI often calls on priests, rabbis and other clergy members to counsel victims at mass-casualty events.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clergy
noun
cler·gy
ˈklər-jē 
plural clergies
: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services
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