minster

[ min-ster ]

noun

1. a church actually or originally connected with a monastic establishment.
2. any large or important church, as a cathedral.

minster

/ ˈmɪnstə /

noun

1. any of certain cathedrals and large churches, usually originally connected to a monastery

Word History and Origins

Origin of minster¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English mynster (cognate with German Münster ) < Vulgar Latin *monisterium, for Late Latin monastērium monastery

Word History and Origins

Origin of minster¹

Old English mynster, probably from Vulgar Latin monisterium (unattested), variant of Church Latin monastērium monastery

Example Sentences

A source familiar with the dilemmas told me it “beggars belief” that minsters can talk about giving the NHS extra billions and promising reform without doing the same for social care.

From BBC

In the phone in the first minster defended the 20mph speed limit in mostly built up areas on the programme.

From BBC

They are now so few that they were outnumbered by the eight former prime minsters, lined up at the annual commemoration in London’s Whitehall.

From BBC

The former first minster has sued the government for misfeasance – a civil law term that means the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.

From BBC

As equalities minster, she gained attention by rejecting claims of widespread institutional racism in the UK and fighting to preserve single-sex spaces for women over gender-neutral toilets.

From BBC

Related Words

• chapel
• mosque
• parish
• sanctuary
• shrine
• synagogue
• temple