monk
monk, man who separates himself from society and lives either alone (a hermit or anchorite) or in an organized community in order to devote himself full time to religious life. See monasticism.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
monk
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
18 July 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026