# vestry

/vˈɛstɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vestry
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a small room in a church where the priest keeps clothes, books, and other items. It is usually located near the altar.

For teachers: a small room in a church, typically situated behind the altar, used for storing vestments, liturgical books, and other ecclesiastical items. Often used as a meeting place for the local parish council.

## Examples

- The priest kept his ceremonial robes in the vestry.
- After the service, the congregation gathered in the vestry to discuss the upcoming charity event.
- The stone vestry, built in the late Gothic style, serves as both a storage facility for sacred vestments and a quiet office for the parish administrator.

---

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.