vestry

[ ves-tree ]

/ ˈvɛs tri /

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noun, plural ves·tries.

a room in or a building attached to a church, in which the vestments, and sometimes liturgical objects, are kept; sacristy.

(in some churches) a room in or a building attached to a church, used as a chapel, for prayer meetings, for the Sunday school, etc.

Episcopal Church. a committee elected by members of a congregation to serve with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church.

Church of England. a meeting attended by all the parishioners or by a committee of parishioners during which the official business of the church is discussed.

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Origin of vestry

1350–1400; Middle English vestrie, vestrye.See vest (v.), -ery

OTHER WORDS FROM vestry

vestral, adjective

Words nearby vestry

vesting, Vestmannaeyjar, vestment, vest-pocket, vest-pocket park, vestry, vestryman, vesture, Vesuvian, vesuvianite, vesuvianite jade

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use vestry in a sentence

At Church of the Redeemer, Anderson helped to maintain the gardens and served as a volunteer on the vestry.
Frank Anderson, 87, cared passionately about feeding the homeless in D.C.|Dana Hedgpeth|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
It was in the vestry where the choir was putting on its garments.
Joseph Campbell on the Roots of Halloween|Joseph Campbell|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A number of the articles were used in the erection of Edgbaston Vestry Hall, where the curious may inspect them if so inclined.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
In such ceremonies the wedding-party all meet in the vestry, and go to the altar together.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley

The vestry declined to compromise, and insisted on allowing tobacco as a non-dietetic indulgence.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
When the Duc d'Anjou was gone, and had been followed by all the others, the three Guises entered the vestry.
Chicot the Jester|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
I felt quite at home, as if I had been at some vestry-meeting, or some committee in the old country, when Elatreus got up.
In the Wrong Paradise|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for vestry

vestry

/ (ˈvɛstrɪ) /

noun plural -tries

a room in or attached to a church in which vestments, sacred vessels, etc, are kept

a room in or attached to some churches, used for Sunday school, meetings, etc

Church of England

a meeting of all the members of a parish or their representatives, to transact the official business of the parish
the body of members meeting for this; the parish council

Episcopal Church Anglican Church a committee of vestrymen chosen by the congregation to manage the temporal affairs of their church

Derived forms of vestry

vestral, adjective

Word Origin for vestry

C14: probably from Old French vestiarie; see vest

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

vestry

Origin of vestry

OTHER WORDS FROM vestry

Words nearby vestry

Words related to vestry

How to use vestry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vestry

Derived forms of vestry

Word Origin for vestry