refectory

[ ri-fek-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural re·fec·to·ries.

1. a dining hall in a religious house, a college, or other institution.

refectory

/ rɪˈfɛktərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. a communal dining hall in a religious, academic, or other institution

Word History and Origins

Origin of refectory¹

1475–85; < Late Latin refectōrium, equivalent to Latin refec-, combining form of reficere to renew ( refect ) + -tōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of refectory¹

C15: from Late Latin refectōrium , from Latin refectus refreshed

Example Sentences

A church and a refectory were battered during more strikes in early May.

From Seattle Times

Thus admonished, we made our way to the refectory, expecting a small meal at best, perhaps a plain broth and dry bread.

From Washington Post

The refectory was a great, low-ceiled, gloomy room; on two long tables smoked basins of something hot, which, however, to my dismay, sent forth an odour far from inviting.

From Literature

Access to the masterpiece housed inside the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie resumed Tuesday after the second closure of the pandemic, starting in November and the fall virus resurgence.

From Washington Times

The plantings had, by then, expanded from the hothouse to a plot of land by the abbey—a twenty-foot-by-hundred-foot rectangle of loam that bordered the refectory, visible from his room.

From Literature

Related Words

• amphitheater
• arena
• auditorium
• ballroom
• chamber
• church
• gallery
• gym
• gymnasium
• lounge
• theater