# abbaye

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abbaye
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a large building where monks or nuns live and work. It is a French word for an abbey.

For teachers: a large religious house or monastery, typically one that is self-sufficient and governed by an abbot or abbess. Borrowed from French, it is primarily used in historical or architectural contexts.

## Examples

- The abbaye is famous for its beautiful gardens.
- Historians are studying the old abbaye to understand how the monks lived during the Middle Ages.
- The ruins of the abbaye stand as a testament to the region's rich monastic history, attracting thousands of tourists every summer to explore its ancient stone walls.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.