abbot

¹ American  

[ab-uht] / ˈæb ət /

noun

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

---

Abbot ² American  

[ab-uht] / ˈæb ət /

noun

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

2. Also Abbott a first name.

---

abbot British  

/ ˈæbət /

noun

1. the superior of an abbey of monks

---

Other Word Forms

• abbotcy noun
• abbotship noun
• subabbot noun

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-; Abba ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"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

Yes, he would go where the abbot told him to and do what he had been asked.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

Related Words

• monk