abbot

noun

ab·​bot ˈa-bət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the superior of a monastery for men

Examples of abbot 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.
When Kaldi shared the berries with an abbot of a local monastery, the monk ended up wide awake during the evening prayers. Marta Zaraska, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 Most of it comes from the town abbot who, in frequent scenes set in the nearby woods, always seems to be drifting into view with his basket of precious mushrooms, whenever Jérémie is near. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 Among the film’s interviewees are two former nuns at the school and the abbot who supervised several of the priests accused of rape and murder. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025 King Sverre of Norway personally provided information to the writer, Icelandic abbot Karl Jónsson, and instructed him on the details of the saga, Brink added. Hannah Peart, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abbot

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abbot, abbod, going back to Old English, borrowed from Late Latin abbāt-, abbās, borrowed from Late Greek abbâs (also, a title of respect given to monks), borrowed from Aramaic abbā "father"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abbot was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Abbot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abbot. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

abbot

noun
ab·​bot ˈab-ət How to pronounce abbot (audio)
: the head of a monastery for men

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