Cloister usually means a quiet, enclosed place in a monastery or church where monks or nuns live and pray. It can also refer to the covered walkway around a courtyard, especially in old religious buildings.
In everyday English, people use cloister when talking about a peaceful, private place away from noise and busy life. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to keep someone shut away or separated from the outside world.
Meaning & Usage
A cloister is often linked to religious life and quiet surroundings. You may hear it in descriptions of old churches, monasteries, or places that feel calm and hidden from the outside world.
Examples
The monks walked through the cloister in silence.
She spent years cloistered away from public life.
Context / Common Use
People often use this word in books, history, and formal writing. It can describe both a place and the idea of living in isolation.
What is a cloister in a church?
It is usually a covered walkway or courtyard area in a monastery or church building.
Can cloister be used as a verb?
Yes. It can mean to keep someone in a quiet, separate place or to live away from society.
Is cloister a common everyday word?
Not really. It is more common in formal writing, history, and religious contexts.
Leave a Reply