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Synonyms

minster

American  
[min-ster] / ˈmɪn stər /

noun

  1. a church actually or originally connected with a monastic establishment.

  2. any large or important church, as a cathedral.

minster British  
/ ˈmɪnstə /

noun

  1. any of certain cathedrals and large churches, usually originally connected to a monastery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of minster

before 900; Middle English, Old English mynster (cognate with German Münster ) < Vulgar Latin *monisterium, for Late Latin monastērium monastery

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.

Faye and his charismatic mentor Ousmane Sonko, whom he appointed as prime minster, have promised to fight corruption at all levels and rebuild institutions.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

The former first minster had already successfully taken legal action against the government in 2019 over its mishandling of complaints against him, with the probe ruled to be "tainted with apparent bias".

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2025

As defence minster he tackled jihadist activity that was brewing in the northern border in Burkina Faso.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

After the meeting with Cooper and Sir Keir, she told reporters the prime minster said she could return if the review did not provide the answers she was looking for.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2025

In 866 the minster was destroyed by the Danes, but it was repaired three years later.

From Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England by Bede, Cuthbert

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.