monk

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈməŋk 

: a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery

also : friar

monk

2 of 2

noun (2)

: monkey

Examples of monk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

During the early medieval period, amid an era of Christian expansion, the fortress was occupied by the warrior monks, or knights, of the Order of Calatrava, Ramallo said. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

Owen Chow, a 27-year-old activist who was among those convicted, had studied Buddhist scriptures and the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and peace activist, while in jail, according to his friends, who posted updates about him on social media on his behalf. —Tiffany May, New York Times, 30 May 2024

Investigators believe some of the suspects went inside the temple to pray in an effort to distract the monks while others broke into the temple’s living quarters. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024

The Dalai Lama remembered as a little boy asking for the rosary beads that monk had worn around his neck. —Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English munuc, from Late Latin monachus, from Late Greek monachos, from Greek, adjective, single, from monos single, alone

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monk

• monk parakeet
• monk's cloth
• monk seal

Kids Definition

monk

noun

ˈməŋk

: a member of a religious community made up of men who agree to give up worldly life, remain poor and unmarried, and obey all laws of their community

monkish

ˈməŋ-kish

adjective

Biographical Definition

Monk

biographical name

ˈməŋk 

Thelonious Sphere 1920–1982 American jazz musician