Benedictine

American  

[ben-i-dik-tin, -teen, -tahyn, ben-i-dik-teen] / ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk tɪn, -tin, -taɪn, ˌbɛn ɪˈdɪk tin /

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a member of an order of monks founded at Monte Cassino by St. Benedict about a.d. 530.

   2. a member of any congregation of nuns following the rule of St. Benedict.

2. a French liqueur originally made by Benedictine monks.

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adjective

1. of or relating to St. Benedict or the Benedictines.

Benedictine British  

noun

1. a monk or nun who is a member of a Christian religious community founded by or following the rule of Saint Benedict

2. a greenish-yellow liqueur made from a secret formula developed at the Benedictine monastery at Fécamp in France in about 1510

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adjective

1. of or relating to Saint Benedict, his order, or his rule

Etymology

Origin of Benedictine

1620–30; St. Benedict + -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Sarah Kirkland Snider’s fascinating “Hildegard,” which had its New York debut at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater on Friday, explores the life and mind of the 12th-century Benedictine abbess, visionary and composer Hildegard von Bingen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

One Benedictine monk became so worked up about the issue he clearly dedicated significant thought and time to it.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025

The three-time Super Bowl star's comments were among a number of views given during a 20-minute commencement speech at Benedictine College, Kansas.

From BBC • May 16, 2024

An article on Benedictine College’s website about the commencement ceremony had initially referred to Butker’s speech as “inspiring.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

Michelangelo still wore his Benedictine robes, for Eric could find nothing large enough to fit him.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz