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

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# refectory

noun (a refectory, refectories)

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

## Everyday

1. (formal, old) A large dining hall, especially in a monastery, convent, college or old school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#m1)
2. A «refectory table» is a long, narrow wooden dining table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories set in monasteries, boarding schools or castles, monks or pupils eat in the refectory. Today most schools say «dining hall», «canteen» (UK/Australia) or «cafeteria» (US). In maths, the refectory may hold rows of tables to count. Phrases: «the school refectory», «a refectory table».

### Examples

- The monks ate in silence in the refectory. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x1)
- The old school refectory had long wooden tables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x2)
- Breakfast is served in the refectory at 8 o'clock. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x3)
- The refectory seats 200 pupils at 20 tables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x4)
- A refectory table stood in the farmhouse kitchen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x5)
- In the story, Harry ate in a huge refectory. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x6)
- A hundred of the Abbot's men dined each day with him in his refectory, and fifty knights in velvet coats and gold chains waited upon him daily. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/refectory/#x7)

### Note

Plural: refectories. Old-fashioned/formal. Modern words: dining hall, canteen, cafeteria, lunchroom.

## On Mova

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