mon|as|ter|y «MON uh STEHR ee», noun, plural -ter|ies.
1. a building or buildings where (usually) monks or (sometimes) nuns live by themselves in a contemplative life according to fixed rules and under religious vows. SYNONYM(S): cloister, convent.
2. the group of persons living in such a place: »
a monastery of 85.
< monázein to live alone. See etym. of doublet Useful english dictionary. 2012.