clergy
Americannoun
noun
Grammar
See collective noun.
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
In the Christian church, the clergy is the entire class of religious officials, from priests to pastors to bishops and beyond. If you have a sense that your life path lies in helping others practice their faith, you should go into the clergy. Clergy comes from the word clerk, which in turn comes from cleric. If the only clerks you think of are those that work in shoe stores, think of it this way: when you join the ministry of a church, the idea is that you serve the church. Clergy is the word for all of the clerics combined, and is paired with the laity, which are all the people in the church who aren't in the clergy.
Vocabulary lists containing clergy
World Religions
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Content Summary 5.1: Causes of the Atlantic Revolutions
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Medieval Europe - Introductory
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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.
For me, the soon-to-be-former late-night host has also been the single greatest argument for married Catholic clergy.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
The clergy isn’t blind to the romantic energy among congregants.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
Individual clergy would still be able to opt out of offering blessings to same-sex couples.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
In the afternoon, Leo will celebrate Mass at the hilltop Basilica of Saint Augustine in the presence of clergy from across Africa.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
A reciprocal relationship between people and clergy is dramatized as the congregation takes an active role in the recitation of the mass.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
