abbey
/ˈæb.i/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: abbeys
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The office or dominion of an abbot or abbess.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot or abbess; also, the monastic building or buildings.
Noun
Examples
Near-synonym: convent
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “abbey” mean?
The office or dominion of an abbot or abbess.
Is “abbey” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.