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

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

During photography’s climb to acceptance as a fine art, which accelerated around 1970, it ran the risk of becoming precious and solipsistic, as manifested in an arid exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, “Ocean of Images: New Photography 2015,” filled with pictures taken by artists who engaged with the world at a remove, from the cloister of their studies or the internet.

From New York Times

The chocolate kitchen at Hampton Court Palace was built for William III and Mary II in about 1689, and the chocolate room, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1690, was just down the cloister from the chocolate kitchen.

From BBC

A chocolate kitchen, chocolate serving room, chocolate cloister and full chocolate staff are optional.

From BBC

The centre is described as a series of red brick "pavilions" housing care and social spaces, stitched together by a central timber "cloister".

From BBC

Related Words

• nunnery