clergy

Definitions

The body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church.

The group or body of ordained ministers in a church, as distinguished from the laity.

Examples

The clergy gathered at the cathedral to discuss the upcoming community outreach program.

Many members of the local clergy were invited to speak at the interfaith conference.

Synonyms

clerics the ministry men of the cloth churchmen pastors priests ecclesiastics

Antonyms

laity laypeople seculars the congregation parishioners the flock non-clergy