clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

1

: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church

Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

2

: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

Buddhist clergy

Synonyms

• church
• cloth
• first estate
• ministry
• spirituality
• spiritualty

Examples of clergy in a Sentence

Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.

a member of the clergy

Recent Examples on the Web

The one difference was that there was a huge number of clergy in the D.C. area that wanted to join me in making a statement. —Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025

Highland’s founders — a group of respected Black clergy and business owners — aimed both to fulfill this unmet need and to establish a reputation of excellence. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2025

In the days after the fire, a local Catholic high school offered space to the clergy. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Television reporters, judges and clergy have fallen several places, while auto mechanics have moved up. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clergie, from Anglo-French, from clerc clergyman

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clergy

• benefit of clergy

Kids Definition

clergy

noun

cler·​gy ˈklər-jē 

plural clergies

: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services