monasticism

American  

[muh-nas-tuh-siz-uhm] / məˈnæs təˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. the monastic system, condition, or mode of life.

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monasticism British  

/ məˈnæstɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the monastic system, movement, or way of life

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Etymology

Origin of monasticism

First recorded in 1785–95; monastic + -ism

Explanation

Monasticism is a way of living that's religious, isolated from other people, and self-disciplined. In many religions, monks and nuns practice monasticism. Do you live as though you're a monk in a monastery? Then you can describe your lifestyle as monasticism. In fact, all three of these words share the same Greek root, monos, or "alone." Monasticism is usually religious, but it can be used to describe any mode of living that's either solitary or within a community that's isolated from the rest of the world. Your monasticism may lead you to buy a cabin in the woods, where you can be self-sufficient and spend a lot of time meditating.

Example Sentences

Her older brother Patrick withdrew for years into Buddhist monasticism and still lives abroad, sunk in his coding and largely out of touch.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2023

What brought them peace was the thing that guided them to their monasticism in the first place - connecting with their personal faith.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2023

But as monasticism spread from India to other countries, there often were extra requirements to become ordained in those patriarchal societies.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2021

Originally, monasticism was tied to asceticism, meaning self-denial, following the example of an Egyptian holy man named Antony.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

Hermann, who became a monk of the famous abbey of Reichenau, is at once one of the most attractive and one of the most pathetic figures of medieval monasticism.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various