seminary

[ sem-uh-ner-ee ]

noun

, plural sem·i·nar·ies.

1. a special school providing education in theology, religious history, etc., primarily to prepare students for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate.
2. a school, especially one of higher grade.
3. a school of secondary or higher level for young women.
4. seminar ( def 1 ).
5. a place of origin and propagation:

   a seminary of discontent.

seminary

/ ˈsɛmɪnərɪ /

noun

1. an academy for the training of priests, rabbis, etc
2. another word for seminar
3. a place where something is grown

Derived Forms

• ˌsemiˈnarial, adjective

Other Words From

• semi·nari·al adjective
• pre·semi·nary adjective noun plural preseminaries

Word History and Origins

Origin of seminary¹

1400–50; late Middle English: seed plot, nursery < Latin sēminārium, equivalent to sēmin- (stem of sēmen ) seed, semen + -ārium -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of seminary¹

C15: from Latin sēminārium a nursery garden, from sēmen seed

Example Sentences

Gallant was also unhappy at plans to continue to allow Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students to be exempt from serving in the military.

From BBC

He studied at a Jesuit seminary before heading to Johns Hopkins University to pursue a degree in medieval French.

From Los Angeles Times

The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in June that the state must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students into the army.

From BBC

He then traveled to a seminary in Najaf, Iraq, for religious studies, but two years later he and other Shiite students and clerics were expelled by Saddam Hussein’s government.

From Los Angeles Times

But the politically powerful ultra-Orthodox have traditionally received exemptions if they are studying full-time in religious seminaries.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• academy
• association
• business
• clinic
• company
• establishment
• foundation
• hospital
• institute
• school
• society
• system
• university