Definition

1. Noun:
   • A community of people in a religious order (especially nuns) living together: A "convent" is a group of women, typically nuns, who live together under religious vows.
   • A religious residence especially for nuns: A "convent" is the building or complex of buildings where such a community lives.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She entered the convent at the age of eighteen to become a nun.
  • The old convent was converted into a community center after the sisters moved.
  • The convent is known for its beautiful, peaceful gardens.

Advanced Usage

• "To enter a convent": To join a religious community of nuns.
  • After her spiritual awakening, she decided to enter a convent.
• "Convent school": A school run by a religious community, often nuns. (Note: This is a compound noun listed separately as a variant.)
  • She received her early education at a convent school.

Variants and Related Words

• Conventual (adj): Pertaining to a convent or convent life.
  • They followed a strict conventual routine.
• Convent school (n): An educational institution operated by a religious order.

Synonyms

• Nunnery: A term for a convent, though sometimes considered archaic or informal.
• Cloister: A place of religious seclusion; can refer to a convent or monastery.
• Abbey: A monastery or convent under the supervision of an abbot or abbess.

Related Phrases

• "In convent": Living within a convent.
  • She has spent forty years in convent.
• "Leave the convent": To depart from the religious community.
  • After a decade, she made the difficult decision to leave the convent.

Related Idioms

• "As quiet as a convent": Extremely quiet and peaceful.
  • The library was as quiet as a convent on a Sunday morning.

Noun

1. a community of people in a religious order (especially nuns) living together
2. a religious residence especially for nuns