plural clergies
1
: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church
Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
2
: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion
Buddhist clergy
Examples of clergy in a Sentence
Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
a member of the clergy
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier this month, the DOJ launched an investigation into a Washington state law that requires clergy members to report information about child abuse or neglect obtained during confessions, without exemptions for Catholic priests' confessional privilege.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
The Swiss Army lined the outside of the Vatican among clergy and people waving patriotic indicators from around the globe in celebration of the leader of the Catholic Church emerging from the balcony and beginning his papacy.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Led by the clergy, the four royals then took part in a procession down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 8 May 2025
The Seattle Archdiocese in a statement, warned that breaking the confidence of confession is grounds for a priest to be kicked out of the church, essentially reiterating the rules already established for Catholic clergy.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
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Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
The Swiss Army lined the outside of the Vatican among clergy and people waving patriotic indicators from around the globe in celebration of the leader of the Catholic Church emerging from the balcony and beginning his papacy.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Led by the clergy, the four royals then took part in a procession down the aisle of Westminster Abbey.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 8 May 2025
The Seattle Archdiocese in a statement, warned that breaking the confidence of confession is grounds for a priest to be kicked out of the church, essentially reiterating the rules already established for Catholic clergy.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clergy
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clergy
noun
cler·gy
ˈklər-jē 
plural clergies
: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services
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