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

“It is cloistered, but with an underlying power.”

From Los Angeles Times

The rich, dim interiors of Cohn’s cloistered world give way to the gaudy, golden posturing of Trump’s living spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

After being cloistered in a basement cage for nearly a year, Tonka just wanted to be outside.

From Los Angeles Times

The sisters’ vows of chastity and poverty and the air of secrecy that shrouds their cloistered lives are all intriguingly antithetical to modern Western values of sex, money and fame.

From New York Times

A row of vaults seem to be supported by 14 superslim columns but are, in fact, suspended from the ceiling and give the room the sheltered quality of a cloister.

From New York Times

Related Words

• nunnery