convent

1 of 2

noun

con·​vent ˈkän-vənt How to pronounce convent (audio)
-ˌvent
: a local community or house of a religious order or congregation
especially : an establishment of nuns

convent

2 of 2

verb

con·​vent kən-ˈvent How to pronounce convent (audio)
convented; conventing; convents
obsolete

Examples of convent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Bill undergoes a moral crisis when his path crosses with a wretched head nun (Emily Watson) at a convent that’s part of the notorious Magdalene Laundries — a place of severe abuse of women. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The agency raised its volcano alert to its highest level 4, as the column of hot ash landed on buildings and homes across seven villages—including a convent of Catholic nuns, the Associated Press reported. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 At least 10 people including a child have died in Indonesia following a series of powerful volcanic eruptions that destroyed homes and a Catholic convent, authorities said. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 The building has evolved from a 14th-century fortress to a Moorish mansion then a Franciscan convent and now a luxury hotel. Allix Cott, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convent 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English covent, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin conventus, from Latin, assembly, from convenire

Verb

Latin conventus, past participle of convenire

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1514, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of convent was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near convent

Cite this Entry

“Convent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convent. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

convent

noun
con·​vent
ˈkän-vənt,
-ˌvent
1
: a community of nuns living together
2
: a house or set of buildings occupied by nuns
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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