[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/clergy/)

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# clergy

noun (the clergy), plural in sense

«clergy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The priests, ministers, vicars, rabbis, imams and other religious leaders of a religion, as a group. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#m1)
2. Members of the clergy: people whose job is to lead worship and look after a religious community. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons the clergy were a powerful group in medieval times, along with nobles and peasants. In RE lessons pupils learn the names of different clergy. Phrases: the clergy, members of the clergy, local clergy.

### Examples

- The clergy led the service at the cathedral. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x1)
- In the Middle Ages the clergy could often read and write when most people could not. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x2)
- Members of the clergy visited the hospital. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x3)
- The vicar is a member of the clergy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x4)
- The clergy of several faiths met to talk about peace. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x5)
- A single priest is a clergyman or clergywoman. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/#x6)

### Note

A group noun; it usually takes "the" and a plural verb: "the clergy are". One person is a clergyman, clergywoman or member of the clergy. Opposite: the laity (ordinary members).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «clergy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clergy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«clergy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/clergy.html) on Mova free.