Trappist

American  

[trap-ist] / ˈtræp ɪst /

noun

1. Roman Catholic Church. a member of a branch of the Cistercian order, observing the austere reformed rule established at La Trappe in 1664.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Trappists.

Trappist British  

/ ˈtræpɪst /

noun

1. 1. a member of a branch of the Cistercian order of Christian monks, the Reformed Cistercians of the Strict Observance which originated at La Trappe in France in 1664. They are noted for their rule of silence

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Trappist monk

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Etymology

Origin of Trappist

First recorded in 1805–15, Trappist is from the French word trappiste, based on the name of the monastery. See La Trappe, -ist

Example Sentences

Trappist monks, who are officially known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, live a life of “prayer, silence, study, and manual labor.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Leo's visit, which is expected to focus on interfaith dialogue, comes 30 years after the beheading of seven French Trappist monks from a monastery during the 1990s civil war.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

And then as I say in the book, I came home and turned on the TV and saw a documentary about Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk, and monastic life and the priesthood.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

More observations are planned not only of this planet, but the others in the Trappist system.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

The same thing has happened in Trappist monasteries throughout the centuries.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin