cloister

[ kloi-ster ]

noun

1. a covered walk, especially in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade usually opening onto a courtyard.
2. a courtyard, especially in a religious institution, bordered with such walks.
3. a place of religious seclusion, as a monastery or convent.

   Synonyms: priory, abbey

4. any quiet, secluded place.
5. life in a monastery or convent.

verb (used with object)

1. to confine in a monastery or convent.
2. to confine in retirement; seclude.
3. to furnish with a cloister or covered walk.
4. to convert into a monastery or convent.

cloister

/ ˈklɔɪstə /

noun

1. a covered walk, usually around a quadrangle in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade on the inside and a wall on the outside
2. sometimes plural a place of religious seclusion, such as a monastery
3. life in a monastery or convent

verb

1. tr to confine or seclude in or as if in a monastery

Derived Forms

• ˈcloister-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• cloister·less adjective
• cloister·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloister¹

1250–1300; Middle English cloistre < Anglo-French, Old French, blend of cloison partition ( cloisonné ) and clostre (< Latin claustrum barrier ( Late Latin: enclosed place); claustrum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cloister¹

C13: from Old French cloistre, from Medieval Latin claustrum monastic cell, from Latin: bolt, barrier, from claudere to close; influenced in form by Old French cloison partition

Example Sentences

Above the flowery cloisters, ferocious-looking gargoyles ignored the children noisily chasing each other and stretched toward the indigo late-summer sky, praying for rain.

From Washington Post

The idea of the silence and solitude of the cloister inspired the highly-imaginative girl with a blaze of enthusiasm.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, I knew he would not be in, and so we left him lying down on the bench in the cloister till dinner was over.

From Project Gutenberg

I am not sure whether a cloister or a prison, commanding a fine view, be preferable to one without.

From Project Gutenberg

You will hear of him; he does not live in a cloister; he is always doing something for somebody.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Cloister garden of the Cathedral are preserved a tesselated pavement and the sepulchral slab of a Roman warrior.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nunnery