monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈməŋk 

: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery

also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That much is clear inside the company’s headquarters in Leuven, a town where monks first began brewing beer more than 600 years ago, fermenting hops with water from the polluted river running through town in the belief that the drink made the fish from the water safer to eat. —Byvivienne Walt, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

Artists in China depicted Cloth Bag as a plump, laughing monk often surrounded by children or animals. —Megan Bryson, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2024

The lie detector consists of the blind monk from the crucifix room at the Vatican and a cup of seltzer water. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024

Benedict: Benedict has been in regular rotation ever since St. Benedict founded the Benedictine order of monks in the early middle ages. —Anna Moeslein, Parents, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monk

• monk parakeet
• monk's cloth
• monk seal

Kids Definition

monk

noun

ˈməŋk

: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community

monkish

ˈməŋ-kish

adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

ˈməŋk 

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician