Monastery

Monastery

Noun · /ˈmɒn.ə.stər.i/

Definition

A building or complex of buildings housing a religious community of monks or nuns who live under a formal vow and rule, typically following a specific religious order.

Origin

From Old French monastere, from Church Latin monasterium, from Greek monastērion (a place for living alone), from monastēs (one who lives alone), from monazein (to live alone), from monos (alone, single). The monastery being literally a place for those who live alone — the monks withdrawing from the world to live apart, even when they live in community. The word monastic, monk, and monastery all sharing this monos root. The rule of a monastery typically being the Rule of Saint Benedict (Regula Benedicti), established around 530 CE and governing Benedictine monasteries across Europe.