monastery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal
Quick answer
What does “monastery” mean?
A building or complex of buildings where a community of monks live and work under religious vows.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A building or complex of buildings where a community of monks live and work under religious vows.
Any community or place of seclusion dedicated to a particular purpose or discipline, or a place resembling a monastery in its quietness or seclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes images of medieval history, seclusion, religious discipline, and ancient architecture. Culturally associated with European Christian heritage.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to the greater historical presence and preservation of such buildings in the UK landscape.
Grammar
How to Use “monastery” in a Sentence
monastery of [religious order]monastery in [location]monastery on [geographical feature]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monastery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The monks would monastery in silent prayer for hours.
- He sought to monastery himself away from the world's distractions.
American English
- The community chose to monastery in the remote valley.
- She felt a need to monastery herself to finish her thesis.
adverb
British English
- He lived monastery, away from all modern conveniences.
- The team worked monastery to meet the deadline.
American English
- She spent her days writing monastery in her cabin.
- They trained monastery for the championship.
adjective
British English
- The architecture had a distinct, monastery feel to it.
- He maintained a monastery-like discipline in his routine.
American English
- The quiet town had an almost monastery atmosphere.
- Her lifestyle was described as monastery in its simplicity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for an extremely quiet, non-commercial environment: 'The office was like a monastery after the merger.'
Academic
Common in historical, religious studies, art history, and architectural contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel, history, or places of interest. 'We visited a beautiful monastery in the mountains.'
Technical
Used in historical/archaeological reports and religious studies with precise definitions distinguishing orders and architectural styles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monastery”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monastery”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monastery”
- Misspelling: 'monastary' (incorrect). Confusing with 'monument' or 'mausoleum'. Using for non-Christian contexts without clarification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An abbey is a monastery ruled by an abbot or abbess and is typically larger and more autonomous. All abbeys are monasteries, but not all monasteries are abbeys.
Traditionally, a monastery is for monks (men). A community of nuns lives in a convent or nunnery. However, in modern informal usage, 'monastery' is sometimes used loosely for any monastic community.
Yes, the term is used most specifically for Christian contexts, but it is commonly applied descriptively to similar Buddhist communities (e.g., a Buddhist monastery). For precise religious terminology, traditions have their own words (e.g., vihara, wat).
The direct adjective is 'monastic' (e.g., monastic life, monastic orders). 'Monastery' itself is rarely used adjectivally; 'monastery-like' or 'monastic' are preferred.
A building or complex of buildings where a community of monks live and work under religious vows.
Monastery is usually formal in register.
Monastery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒn.ə.stri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑː.nə.ster.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live like in a monastery.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONAs live in a monaSTERY. (Mona Lisa was allegedly painted by a monk? No, but the silly connection helps!).
Conceptual Metaphor
A MONASTERY IS A CONTAINER FOR SECLUSION/DISCIPLINE. (e.g., 'He retreated into the monastery of his mind.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of a monastery?