1
: the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy
The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
2
: the mass of the people as distinguished from those of a particular profession or those specially skilled
… writers who can interpret this wholeness both to their colleagues and the laity.—
P. B. Sears
P. B. SearsExamples of laity in a Sentence
a member of the laity
The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
Recent Examples on the Web
This United States Conference of Catholic Bishops call for an hour of prayer, which can be offered publicly or privately, went out to every bishop, priest and the laity, according to Rockford Diocese spokesperson Penny Wiegert.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Indeed, nuns are now teaching philosophy within their own nunneries at home and abroad, becoming principals of their institutions, serving as role models for other nuns and the laity, and entering long retreats – a staple of Buddhist contemplative activities on the path to awakening.
—Darcie Price-Wallace, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2025
To believe that churches can direct the laity on how to vote, whether for members of the school board or for the president of the country, is to deny the Christian teaching that all humans are made in the image of God and can understand and follow his will themselves.
—Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
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Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Indeed, nuns are now teaching philosophy within their own nunneries at home and abroad, becoming principals of their institutions, serving as role models for other nuns and the laity, and entering long retreats – a staple of Buddhist contemplative activities on the path to awakening.
—Darcie Price-Wallace, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2025
To believe that churches can direct the laity on how to vote, whether for members of the school board or for the president of the country, is to deny the Christian teaching that all humans are made in the image of God and can understand and follow his will themselves.
—Esau McCaulley, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Yet many donors—ministers, nonprofit leaders, and faithful laity—gave to support orthodox Christian training rooted in biblical fidelity, not the progressive agendas dominating mainline seminaries.
—The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
laity
noun
la·ity
ˈlā-ət-ē 
plural laities
1
: the people of a religious faith who are not members of its clergy
2
: persons not of a particular profession
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