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priory

American  
[prahy-uh-ree] / ˈpraɪ ə ri /

noun

plural

priories

  1. a religious house governed by a prior or prioress, often dependent upon an abbey.

priory British  
/ ˈpraɪərɪ /

noun

  1. a religious house governed by a prior, sometimes being subordinate to an abbey

"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 priory

1250–1300; Middle English priorie < Medieval Latin priōria. See prior 2, -y 3

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.

The latest meeting takes place at the Priory pub in Scunthorpe.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

Mr Denning, who represents Castle and Priory ward, also posted his resignation on Facebook.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2025

Saranya Rajgru, who works in a convenience store on Priory Road, is new to Hall Green.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2025

Hexham Priory School, said in a social media post, it had been forced to close as several staff had been unable to get into work.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2025

It was hard to understand, but the Consistorial Court of Discipline was on the same side as the gentle sisters of Godstow Priory, sort of.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

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.