Definition

1. Noun:
   • The body of people ordained for religious duties in a Christian church: "clergy" refers collectively to individuals who have received formal religious authorization to perform spiritual functions, such as priests, ministers, pastors, and bishops, within Christian denominations.
   • The official leadership of a religious institution: It denotes the group of people who hold religious office, as distinguished from the general body of church members (the laity).

Usage

• The word "clergy" is a collective noun. It typically takes a singular verb when referring to the group as a single unit.
  • The local clergy is meeting to discuss the community outreach program.
• It is often used with the definite article "the" to specify the religious leaders of a particular context.
  • The bishop addressed the clergy of the diocese.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Benefit of clergy": A historical legal privilege in English law, originating in medieval times, which granted Christian clerics the right to be tried in ecclesiastical courts rather than secular ones. This phrase is now used historically or metaphorically.
  • In the 14th century, he claimed benefit of clergy to avoid a harsher punishment.

Variants and Related Words

• Clergyman (n): A male member of the clergy.
  • The clergyman delivered a powerful sermon.
• Clergywoman (n): A female member of the clergy.
  • She was the first clergywoman to lead the parish.
• Clergical (adj): Relating to the clergy. (Note: The more common adjective is "clerical," which can also refer to office work.)
  • He wore traditional clerical attire.

Synonyms

• Clergymen (n, plural): Often used interchangeably with "clergy" but specifies male members.
• Ministry (n): Can refer to the clergy, especially in Protestant traditions, or to the service performed by them.
• Pastorate (n): The office or jurisdiction of a pastor; the body of pastors.

Antonyms

• Laity (n): The body of religious worshipers who are not ordained as part of the clergy.
  • The new policy was explained to both the clergy and the laity.

Noun

1. in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)