Definitions for Abbey
ˈæb iAbbey

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. abbeynoun

   a church associated with a monastery or convent

2. abbeynoun

   a convent ruled by an abbess

3. abbeynoun

   a monastery ruled by an abbot

Wiktionary(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. abbeynoun

   A monastery or society of people, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy, which is headed by an abbot or abbess; also, the monastic building or buildings.

   From 1199 to 1203 William Punchard was the abbot of the abbey of Rievaulx, which was part of the Cistercian order of monks.

2. abbeynoun

   The church of a monastery.

3. abbeynoun

   In London, the Abbey is short for Westminster Abbey, and in Scotland, the precincts of the Abbey of Holyrood. The name is also retained for a private residence on the site of an abbey; as, Newstead Abbey, the residence of Lord Byron.

4. Abbeynoun

   A diminutive of the female given name Abigail.

5. Etymology: From Abigail.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Abbey or Abbynoun

   A monastery of religious persons, whether men or women; distinguished from religious houses of other denominations by larger privileges. See Abbot.

   Etymology: Lat. abbatia; from whence probably first Abbacy ; which see.

   With easy roads he came to Leicester;
   Lodg’d in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,
   With all his convent, honourably receiv’d him. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Abbeynoun

   a monastery or society of persons of either sex, secluded from the world and devoted to religion and celibacy; also, the monastic building or buildings

2. Abbeynoun

   the church of a monastery

Freebase(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Abbey

   An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community. The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey, in some cases for centuries. There were many orders that had their own styles of abbeys. Among these were the primary orders such as Benedictine, Cistercian, Carthusian. However there were also the minor order such as the Dominicans, Franciscans, and Carmelites.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Abbey

   ab′e, n. a monastery of persons of either sex presided over by an abbot or abbess: the church now or formerly attached to it: in Newstead Abbey, &c., the name has been retained after the abbatial building had become a private house:—pl. Abb′eys. [O. Fr. abaïe (Fr. abbaye)—L. abbatia, See Abba.]

Matched Categories

1. • Church
   • Convent
   • Monastery

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Abbey' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4791

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Abbey' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4233

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Abbey' in Nouns Frequency: #1861

How to pronounce Abbey?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Abbey in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Abbey in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Abbey in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of Abbey in a Sentence

1. Dave Clark:

   It( became) a mega-production, which I was happy with and Freddie loved. But I didn't think about what we had originally done until a decade or so later, when I thought,' I've never felt that sort of goosebumps feeling that I got on that original run-through at Abbey Road with just Freddie and piano.

2. Nick Offerman:

   I don't think I've ever watched an episode of anything more than once in my life, but now it's become a thing where people choose their shows, like' Parks and Recreation,' and it's their medicine — they treat it the way I treated' Abbey Road' or' OK Computer.'.

3. Aaron Schock:

   I think a receptionist just said that to the guy from the Post and he sort of ran with it. I designed the space and Downton Abbey didn't have anything to do with it, however it's a great show!

4. Kathy McDonald:

   Just like on 'Downton Abbey,' the local hospital is a resource that people care about. They employ people in a community and they take care of people.

5. Sir Dennis Hamilton:

   I get the biggest kick out of people who claim to be related to the Queen and Royal Family. The truth of the matter is most are truly related, they're just cousins 15 times removed! They're more likely to blood kin to Lady Mary Crawley! (Referencing the fictional story "Downton Abbey")

Popularity rank by frequency of use