With plural agreement. People bound by monastic vows or devoted to a religious life, esp. in the Roman Catholic Church.

A company of men or women living together in the discipline of a religious order and under one superior; a body of monks, friars, or nuns forming one…

A community or corporation of clergy living together on a foundation for religious service, etc. Now chiefly Historical.

Christian Church. Collectively: people devoted to a religious life. Obsolete.

People devoted to a religious life. rare.

A body or community of monks; a monastery.

Of a religious community.

A body of people leading a communal life according to a religious rule; a religious society, a monastic body.

A group of people united by a shared profession or way of life; esp. a clerical or monastic household.