abbot

UK: /ˈæbət/ US: /ˈæbət/ ,(ab′ət)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ab•bot /ˈæbət/   n. [countable]

1. Religion a man who is the head or superior of a monastery.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ab•bot  (ab′ət), n. 

1. a man who is the head or superior, usually elected, of a monastery.

• Late Latin abbād- for abbāt-
• Aramaic abbā abba; replacing Middle English, Old English abbod (compare Old High German abbat)
• Greek
• Latin abbāt- (stem of abbās)
• Middle English, variant of abbat bef. 900

ab′bot•cy, ab′bot•ship′, n. 

Ab•bot  (ab′ət), n. 

1. Biographical Charles Greeley, 1872–1973, U.S. astrophysicist.
2. Also, Ab′bott. a male given name.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abbot / ˈæbət/ noun

1. the superior of an abbey of monks

Etymology: Old English abbod, from Church Latin abbāt- (stem of abbas), ultimately from Aramaic abbā Abba²

ˈabbotˌship, ˈabbotcy noun