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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of laity
Kevin Cardinal Farrell headed the Vatican’s family and laity office and is currently the one tasked with running the Holy See in the interval between a pope’s death and the election of the next one.
—
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for laity
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for laity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laity
Noun
-
All day, a steady stream of young people from across the state wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the names of their CrossFit gyms or their church groups presented themselves at the station, offering assistance.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
Other Republicans promised to bulldoze the Department of Education, to end affirmative action, and to get rid of rules limiting church involvement in elections.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Some in the parishes have asked the archdiocese to reconsider this decision.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Mylo Capilla, 13, was last seen on Thursday, June 26, in the parish of Ingleby Barwick, according to Cleveland Police in England.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
On Thursday, a quiet congregation gathered for Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, just blocks away from the site where protesters gathered to oppose immigration raids last month.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
In Tempe, a developer has agreed to restore and preserve a vacant historic church while building on the adjacent land, and throughout the Valley many church congregations have had to grapple with selling their buildings as membership dwindles.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laity. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share