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Synonyms

minster

American  
[min-ster] / ˈmɪn stər /

noun

  1. a church actually or originally connected with a monastic establishment.

  2. any large or important church, as a cathedral.

minster British  
/ ˈmɪnstə /

noun

  1. any of certain cathedrals and large churches, usually originally connected to a monastery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of minster

before 900; Middle English, Old English mynster (cognate with German Münster ) < Vulgar Latin *monisterium, for Late Latin monastērium monastery

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The extra height now atop the Jesus Christ tower means the Barcelona basilica now surpasses Ulm Minster in Germany as the world's tallest church.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

A huge yellow crane will bring it up to the summit, which will stand at 172.5 metres and has snatched the record as the world's tallest church from Germany's Ulm Minster.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Business Minster Kate Dearden said the legislation was "pro-growth" and "a win-win for employers, employees and a more competitive British economy".

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

Now measuring 162.91 metres tall, the Spanish basilica has officially pipped the record from the Ulm Minster in Germany, which has held the crown since 1890.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

She was born on the 17th of November, 1630, and was buried in York Minster on the 13th of January, 1685.

From Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature by Bardsley, Charles W.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.