mo·nas·tic
mə-ˈna-stik 
1
: of or relating to monasteries or to monks or nuns
the rituals of monastic life
2
: resembling (as in seclusion or ascetic simplicity) life in a monastery
shows a monastic dedication to his job
plural monastics
: a member of a monastic order : a person (such as a monk) who lives under religious vows
Monastics are people who … every day try hard to become part of a community—to relinquish aspects of the very egoism the rest of us spend our lives, in various ways, trying to enhance.—
Robert Coles
Robert ColesExamples of monastic in a Sentence
Adjective
He founded a monastic order in Belgium.
He shows a monastic dedication to his job.
She studied for the test with monastic zeal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Christian intellectuals increasingly accepted input from classical and contemporary non-Christian sources, particularly in emerging urban schools, which were beginning to replace monastic cloisters as centers of learning in Europe.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 25 Nov. 2024
Koh Ewe, TIME, 13 May 2024
Over the past 2,000 years, Buddhist teachings have encountered distortions and alterations due to mistranslation and misinterpretation of Buddha-dharma by Buddhist patriarchs, eminent monastics, and Buddhist scholars.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for monastic 
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Adjective
Explore the island and delve into its deep history, visiting the monastic ruins of St Seiriol, the old semaphore station, and the lighthouse at Penmon Point.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Christian intellectuals increasingly accepted input from classical and contemporary non-Christian sources, particularly in emerging urban schools, which were beginning to replace monastic cloisters as centers of learning in Europe.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
Buddhist organizations, whose members are also known to skew older, have been trying to connect with younger people by updating the image of monastics, usually known for their no-nonsense asceticism.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 13 May 2024
Over the past 2,000 years, Buddhist teachings have encountered distortions and alterations due to mistranslation and misinterpretation of Buddha-dharma by Buddhist patriarchs, eminent monastics, and Buddhist scholars.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for monastic
Dictionary Entries Near monastic
Cite this Entry
“Monastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monastic. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
monastic
adjective
mo·nas·tic
mə-ˈnas-tik
1
: of or relating to monks or monasteries
2
: resembling life in a monastery
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