convent

American  

[kon-vent, -vuhnt] / ˈkɒn vɛnt, -vənt /

noun

1. a community of persons devoted to religious life under a superior.

   Synonyms:

   priory, abbey

2. a society or association of monks, friars, or nuns: now usually used of a society of nuns.

3. the building or buildings occupied by such a society; a monastery or nunnery.

   Synonyms:

   cloister

4. Obsolete. assembly; meeting.

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convent British  

/ ˈkɒnvənt /

noun

1. a building inhabited by a religious community, usually of nuns

2. the religious community inhabiting such a building

3. Also called: convent school.  a school in which the teachers are nuns

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convent Cultural  

1. A community of people in a religious order, especially nuns.

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Etymology

Origin of convent

1175–1225; < Medieval Latin conventus; Latin: assembly, coming together, equivalent to conven ( īre ) ( convene ) + -tus suffix of v. action; replacing Middle English covent < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin, as above

Example Sentences

The women find refuge in a convent and, ultimately, in a seaside town where some measure of peace awaits them.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

In Rome, they founded the convent of Santa Maria del Popolo at one of the city's main entrances, with trees and gardens nearby.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

In 1990, after almost five decades of shuttling among temporary locations, the painting was finally installed in Rimini’s new Museo della Città, a renovated Jesuit convent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Two excommunicated Spanish nuns who have joined a sect were held for allegedly selling cultural assets belonging to the Catholic Church from a convent they refuse to leave, a court said on Friday.

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

The three of us walked as one to the Acllahuasi, the Sun Maidens’ convent, and the air was full of the fresh, earthy smell that a strong rain leaves.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis