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• abbot
  abbot

  noun

  a man who is the head or superior, usually elected, of a monastery.
• Abbot
  Abbot

  noun

  Charles Greeley, 1872–1973, U.S. astrophysicist.

abbot

¹ American  

[ab-uht] / ˈæb ət /

noun

• abbots
  plural

1. a man who is the head or superior, usually elected, of a monastery.

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Abbot ² American  

[ab-uht] / ˈæb ət /

noun

1. Charles Greeley, 1872–1973, U.S. astrophysicist.

2. Also Abbott a first name.

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abbot British  

/ ˈæbət /

noun

1. the superior of an abbey of monks

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• abbotcy
  noun
• abbotship
  noun
• subabbot
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• abbots
  plural

Etymology

Origin of abbot

First recorded before 900; Middle English, variant of abbat, from Latin abbāt- (stem of abbās ), from Greek, from Aramaic abbā; replacing Middle English, Old English abbod (compare Old High German abbat ), from Late Latin abbād- for abbāt-; cf. Abba ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

An abbot is the head of a monastery. Just as businesses have bosses and teams have coaches, the monastery has an abbot. The word abbot comes from the Greek abbas, which means "father” as a title with honor. An abbot is the superior of a monastery, the father of the fathers — in other words. Other monks must obey the abbot, and the abbot should lead and inspire all the monks.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abbot Abbot abbots

"People are facing many economic hardships," said the abbot, U Thudassa.

From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026

“I am looking forward to the silence finally stopping, because 54 years of silence is a long time,” said Bishop Kassianos of Aravissos, the abbot of the seminary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 2025

Police said the case first came to their attention in mid-June, when they learned that an abbot in Bangkok had suddenly left the monkhood after being extorted by a woman.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2025

“That’s something you must resolve on your own,” the abbot said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2024

The abbot came around the great table and knelt next to the dog.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

The private requiem mass included a homily from the Rt Rev David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Benedictine Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel said the situation has worsened dramatically since he first arrived in Jerusalem in 2000.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Competitors for Afib products exist, mainly Abbot Laboratories.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

Where: The corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice boulevards Event Notes: Attendees are encouraged to bring water, signs and comfortable shoes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025

“Novice Matthias, you will be silent and do as your Abbot commands.”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

The number of temples has tripled, monks and abbots have become well-known public figures, and China has used the faith to build ties around the world, sending nuns and monks on goodwill missions.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2018

The number of temples has tripled, monks and abbots have become well-known public figures, and China has used the faith to build ties around the world, sending out nuns and monks on good-will missions.

From New York Times ● Sep. 15, 2018

There are also temples which have attracted large and dedicated followings, through skilful promotion of charismatic monks and abbots, said to have supernatural powers.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2017

Splattered across the lands of central Europe are countless territories overseen by an emperor who shared power with a hierarchy spanning princes, bishops and dukes, down to abbots, knights and city councils.

From Economist ● Apr. 14, 2016

The name covered only the southern part of the present county; for the Isle of Ely was reconstituted under the ancient jurisdiction of its great abbots and bishops.

From Highways and Byways in Cambridge and Ely by Edward Conybeare

Related Words

• monk