contemplative order: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Religious, Academic
Quick answer
What does “contemplative order” mean?
A religious community, especially within the Catholic Church, whose primary purpose is a life of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection rather than active works like teaching or nursing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A religious community, especially within the Catholic Church, whose primary purpose is a life of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection rather than active works like teaching or nursing.
1. Any group or community dedicated primarily to inward reflection and meditation rather than outward action. 2. Used figuratively to describe a non-religious group or mindset focused on deep thought and withdrawal from worldly activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical in both varieties, as it refers to specific institutions within the Catholic Church, which uses a standardised international vocabulary.
Connotations
Identical connotations of religious devotion, quietude, and separation from secular life.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to religious, historical, or philosophical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “contemplative order” in a Sentence
[Noun] joined/entered a contemplative order.The [adjective] contemplative order was founded in [year].Life in a contemplative order is centred on [noun/gerund].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contemplative order” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sisters are discerning whether to enter a contemplative order.
American English
- He felt called to join a contemplative order.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, history, and comparative religion to classify types of religious life.
Everyday
Very rarely used. Might appear in discussions about religion or in historical novels.
Technical
A precise term in Catholic canon law and theology to distinguish between religious institutes focused on contemplation versus active ministry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contemplative order”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contemplative order”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contemplative order”
- Using it to describe any thoughtful person (e.g., 'He's in a contemplative order about his future' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'religious order' in general, which includes active orders.
- Misspelling as 'contemplate order'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is typically highly regulated. Most contemplative orders are 'cloistered' or 'enclosed,' meaning members remain within the monastery/convent, and contact is limited for the purpose of preserving solitude.
All members of contemplative orders are monks or nuns, but not all monks/nuns belong to contemplative orders. Some belong to 'active orders' focused on service in the world.
The Carthusians (Order of St. Bruno) are one of the most strictly contemplative orders. The Carmelites (Discalced) and Trappists (Cistercians of the Strict Observance) are also prominent examples.
Rarely. While Buddhist monastic communities share similarities, the specific term 'contemplative order' is rooted in Western Christian (especially Catholic) taxonomy and is not standard terminology for describing Eastern religious groups.
A religious community, especially within the Catholic Church, whose primary purpose is a life of prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection rather than active works like teaching or nursing.
Contemplative order is usually formal, religious, academic in register.
Contemplative order: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtemplətɪv ˈɔːdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛmplətɪv ˈɔːrdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A life of prayer (though not strictly an idiom, this phrase is the core activity of a contemplative order)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONTEMPLATIVE ORDER = CONcentrating on Temple (prayer) in a strict ORDER.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND/SPIRIT IS A GARDEN (requiring quiet cultivation); WITHDRAWAL IS PURITY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of a contemplative order?