abbey

noun

ˈa-bē How to pronounce abbey (audio)
Definition of abbeynext
as in monastery
a residence for men under religious vows the monks in the abbey grow all their own vegetables

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 abbey Projected within an historic abbey and using footage of Monet in his gardens, the work creates a meditative dialogue between natural rhythms, memory and the passage of time. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Georgian Orthodox nuns living in a nearby abbey served us a hearty lunch of lentil soup, beef patties and cheese pie. — Lori Rackl, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026 In the 17th century, as the abbey's importance declined, its vast collection of manuscripts was shifted to another abbey in Rome, then moved to the Vatican and finally on to a small church. — CBS News, 17 May 2026 Eugenio Scarpa bought land around a minuscule port known for its old abbey—opatija in Croatian—and put up a villa, christening it Angiolina after his late wife. — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for abbey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abbey
  1. monastery
  2. cloister
Noun
  • This comprehensive guide explores 100 spectacular travel opportunities, including witnessing the Northern Lights in Norway, cruising down the Nile River and visiting Bhutan’s monasteries.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 28 July 2026
  • Catherine Coldstream entered a Carmelite monastery at age 24, and lived a life of prayer and obedience for 12 years.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 24 July 2026
Definition of monastery
Noun
  • The town served as a Genoese naval outpost during the medieval rivalry with Pisa, and the hotel’s arched colonnades of the original cloister still stand atop rooms that face Palmaria Island or the Gulf itself.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 22 July 2026
  • The cathedral, its peaceful cloister, and its ornate crypt are also worth a visit.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026
Definition of cloister

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abbey
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Cite this Entry

“Abbey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abbey. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abbey

Nglish: Translation of abbey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abbey

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