English▸ noun
(plural abbeys)
the building or buildings occupied by a community of monks or nuns: in 1059 he found his way to the abbey of Bec in Normandy
several churches have begun having silent retreats at monasteries and abbeys.
▪ a church that was formerly an abbey:
a memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey.
– ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French abbeie, from medieval Latin abbatia ‘abbacy’, from abbas, abbat- (see abbot).