minster

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'minster' is correct and usable in written English.
It has two main meanings: 1. A large or important church, especially one of Gothic style, typically associated with the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods in English history. Example: The grand minster in the heart of the city attracted many tourists. 2. A title for a clergyman assigned to assist or carry out religious services in a large church or cathedral. Example: Reverend Smith was the minster at the large cathedral in the town. Overall, 'minster' is a formal and somewhat archaic term, so it may be more commonly used in written English rather than in spoken language. It is often used to refer to historic or religious buildings and their associated clergy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Indian press has also written about a group of Twitter trolls fiercely defending the BJP and its leader and Indian prime minster, Narendra Modi.

The Guardian

And Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's deputy first minster, said Osborne could not lecture Scotland on debt given his own record.

The Guardian

When they had a Scottish prime minster, that was me, they said vote Liberal Democrats, and yet they tell us now they want a Labour government.

The Guardian

By speaking with Brand, Miliband showed that he wants to be a prime minster for everyone in Britain, not just the 1%.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reports slyly question his comments that personally written blog posts predate his time as minster.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ed Davey, the Lib Dem business minster, was on the Today programme talking about change.

The Guardian

First to don the water skis for the shark jump was the education minster, Christopher Pyne, who vowed that he would find a new home for Lomborg's questionable methodology.

The Guardian

He caused some alarm last year when he said the prime minster should light a fire under with his plans for a referendum by the end of 2017.

The Guardian

In an address at the European Policy Centre, the first minster will highlight the benefits that EU membership brings to Scotland, including the boost to the economy brought by the 171,000 people born elsewhere in the European Union but living and working in Scotland.

The Guardian

Not everyone could make it – no sign, alas, of Kendall, Kylie, Kris or Kourtney – but Kim, Khloe and two of their cousins, Kelloggs and Kraftwerk, had a high-powered meeting with the country's prime minster, Hovik Abrahamyan, and what appears to be his cabinet.

The Guardian - Film

It came in the wake of huge pro-military protests called for by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the defence minster and army chief.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific "minster", capitalize the word as part of its proper name (e.g., York Minster).

Common error

Do not confuse "minster", a type of church, with "minister", a religious official or government representative. Use "minster" only when referring to a specific church building, especially one of historical significance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "minster" is as a noun, referring to a specific type of church. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts, consistently used to denote significant or historically relevant churches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "minster" is a noun denoting a significant church, typically one with historical ties to monastic or collegiate foundations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and encyclopedic sources. When using the word "minster", remember that it refers to the physical building and should not be confused with "minister", which denotes a person. Famous examples include York Minster and Westminster Abbey, highlighting its association with historically important churches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cathedral church

Emphasizes the cathedral aspect, highlighting its role as the seat of a bishop.

collegiate church

Focuses on the church's association with a college or educational institution.

abbey church

Specifies that the church is or was part of an abbey complex.

parish church

Highlights the church's role as a local community's place of worship.

mother church

Implies that the church is the primary or original church in a region or diocese.

principal church

Focuses on the church's importance or significance within a particular area.

great church

Emphasizes the size and grandeur of the church building.

ancient church

Highlights the historical age and heritage of the church.

religious center

Broader term referring to any place of significant religious activity.

house of worship

General term referring to any building used for religious services.

FAQs

How is "minster" used in a sentence?

The term "minster" is often used to describe a large or significant church, especially one with historical importance. For example: "The York Minster is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture."

What distinguishes a "minster" from a regular church?

A "minster" typically refers to a church that was either a monastic church or a major collegiate church, often larger and more historically significant than a standard parish church.

Which is the correct term: minster or "cathedral"?

Both "minster" and "cathedral" refer to churches, but a "cathedral" is specifically the seat of a bishop, while a "minster" has historical associations with monastic or collegiate foundations.

What are some famous examples of "minsters"?

Famous examples of "minsters" include the York Minster and the Westminster Abbey, both renowned for their architectural beauty and historical importance.