as in church
the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
a member of the laity The laity has played an important role in the history of the church.
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Recent Examples of laity
The event, which drew roughly 80 clergy and laity from across the Central Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Arkansas, was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway.
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Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for laity 
Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2023
From this perspective, halachah is a partnership between the laity and the rabbinate, with the laity playing a critical role in the halachic process.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
The Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful after some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance had been reported.
—Nicole Winfield, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021
And concerning public policy, the laity plays a crucial role in deciphering situations and conditions and helping apply them to halachah.
—Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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Of the cast, Judy Greer stands out as the flustered but patient substitute pageant director and mom who learns to raise her voice in support of the kids the church wants to avoid and leave behind.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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About 40 people stood outside the church eager to cast their vote.Madison Lammert, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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But the Girl Scouts have partnered for years with religious groups, including Catholic parishes, and the organization allows troops latitude in determining whether their activities, badges and rules are religious in nature.Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024
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More:Milwaukee Catholic parishes are at a reckoning point.Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
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For eight years, the church hosted the Ethiopian Orthodox congregation in rooms behind the sanctuary.Giovanna Dell'orto, Twin Cities, 31 Oct. 2024
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During an October 16 sermon, far-right evangelical church leader Jack Hibbs told his Calvary Chapel Chino Hills congregation to show up at a Chino Valley Unified School board meeting the following night.Gretchen Smail, Them, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near laity
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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