monastery
- A building or complex of buildings where monks or nuns live, work, and worship, typically belonging to a religious order or community. nounThe monks dedicated their lives to prayer and study within the monastery.Visitors often tour the ancient monastery to admire its architecture and learn about monastic life.
- A community or group of people living in such a religious establishment, often engaged in spiritual, scholarly, or manual work. nounThe monastery was home to a small community of monks who maintained the library and gardens.During the Middle Ages, monasteries served as centers of education and cultural preservation.