clergy

American  

[klur-jee] / ˈklɜr dʒi /

noun

plural

clergies

1. the group or body of ordained persons in a religion, as distinguished from the laity.

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clergy British  

/ ˈklɜːdʒɪ /

noun

1. the collective body of men and women ordained as religious ministers, esp of the Christian Church

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Grammar

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• anticlergy adjective
• clergylike adjective
• proclergy adjective

Etymology

Origin of clergy

1175–1225; Middle English clerge, clergie < Old French clergé (< Late Latin clericātus office of a priest; cleric, -ate ³ ), clergie, equivalent to clerc cleric + -ie -y ³, with -g- after clergé

Example Sentences

Mr Hall tells me how the town's five churches have come together, with clergy converging on Withernsea Methodist Church, which has become the focus for prayers.

From BBC

The service will be conducted by local clergy, with music provided by the Tullyvallen Silver Band.

From BBC

Dame Sarah told Theresa May her approach has always been to encourage clergy in their ministries, even if they were theologically opposed to the ordination of women.

From BBC

They claim the funds can only legally be spent on churches and the payment of clergy wages.

From BBC

I know this firsthand, having traveled to comfort victims of terror in Argentina, Paris and Turkey, and as a clergy first responder at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• priesthood