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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laity
In a 2023 interview with Vatican News, the then-cardinal said the women had enriched the process and reaffirmed the need for the laity to have a greater role in the church.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Clergy and laity, faithful and curious, novice and veteran attendees all packed into the world's tiniest country to be a part of the historical moment.
—Daniel Burke, NPR, 8 May 2025
The pope reserves the right to make any member of the church a cardinal, including laity.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
While in hospital, the pope signed off on a three-year reform process, including how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of laity in governance and decision making.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Clergy and laity, faithful and curious, novice and veteran attendees all packed into the world's tiniest country to be a part of the historical moment.
—Daniel Burke, NPR, 8 May 2025
The pope reserves the right to make any member of the church a cardinal, including laity.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
While in hospital, the pope signed off on a three-year reform process, including how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of laity in governance and decision making.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
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In 1860, members of Smith's immediate family and others who had rejected Young's leadership sought to reorganize the church Smith had led.—
Frank E. Lockwood,
Arkansas Online,
24 May 2025
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However, the meeting hardly quelled tensions between the two churches.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The ethnic parishes helped settle these new communities, individually if not in communion with one another.—
Geraldo Cadava,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
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The parish dates to 1886 with early structures built in 1917, but the existing church structure on South Leyden Avenue and East 137th Street was constructed in 1957, when Prevost would have turned 2.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
Noun
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The mayor sat down in front of the large South Side congregation for a discussion with the church’s pastor, Dr. Byron Brazier.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 May 2025
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United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ties to Christ Church as a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with the church.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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