Trappist

American  

[trap-ist] / ˈtræp ɪst /

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. a member of a branch of the Cistercian order, observing the austere reformed rule established at La Trappe in 1664.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Trappists.

Trappist British  

/ ˈtræpɪst /

noun

1. 1. a member of a branch of the Cistercian order of Christian monks, the Reformed Cistercians of the Strict Observance which originated at La Trappe in France in 1664. They are noted for their rule of silence

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Trappist monk

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Etymology

Origin of Trappist

First recorded in 1805–15, Trappist is from the French word trappiste, based on the name of the monastery. See La Trappe, -ist

Example Sentences

Leo's visit, which is expected to focus on interfaith dialogue, comes 30 years after the beheading of seven French Trappist monks from a monastery during the 1990s civil war.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

And then as I say in the book, I came home and turned on the TV and saw a documentary about Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk, and monastic life and the priesthood.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

Relentless discipline, the kind that makes Trappist monks look impulsive.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

It turned out that the happy chaos down at the cathedral from early morning on Wednesday was like a gathering of Trappist monks compared to the bedlam that followed at Cologne Stadium.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2024

I felt myself flush with embarrassment at having disturbed the Trappist silence.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin