plural clergies
1
: a group ordained to perform pastoral or sacerdotal functions in a Christian church
Members of the clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
2
: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion
Buddhist clergy
Synonyms
Examples of clergy in a Sentence
Local clergy have been invited to participate in an interfaith service.
a member of the clergy
Recent Examples on the Web
The question of whether the clergy’s service should extend beyond military chaplaincy and humanitarian work is charged with significance for Ukrainian civil society.
—
Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 June 2024
Under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, members of the clergy are mandatory reporters.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2024
It was set up in 1704, when certain ecclesiastical taxes that had previously been paid to the Crown were diverted to supplement the income of poor clergy.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 28 Apr. 2024
Following three town halls with in-person and virtual participation, beginning with one 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Archbishop Curley High School, a team of some 200 clergy and lay Catholics is to present a final proposal to Archbishop William E. Lori, who is expected to sign off on a final plan by June.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clergy 
Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 June 2024
Under California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, members of the clergy are mandatory reporters.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2024
It was set up in 1704, when certain ecclesiastical taxes that had previously been paid to the Crown were diverted to supplement the income of poor clergy.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 28 Apr. 2024
Following three town halls with in-person and virtual participation, beginning with one 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Archbishop Curley High School, a team of some 200 clergy and lay Catholics is to present a final proposal to Archbishop William E. Lori, who is expected to sign off on a final plan by June.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clergy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clergy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clergy
Cite this Entry
“Clergy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clergy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clergy
noun
cler·gy
ˈklər-jē 
plural clergies
: the group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services
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