Search Dictionary
Definition of seminary

seminary

/ˈsɛm.əˌnɛr.i/
sem · i · nar · y
Plural:seminaries
•
Adjective:seminarial
JUMP TO:

seminary Lexical Profile

seminary Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A theological college or educational institution that trains students to become priests, ministers, or rabbis.

Example

"After completing his undergraduate degree in philosophy, he enrolled in a theological seminary to prepare for the ministry."

2

A private secondary school or academy, especially a historical boarding school for young women.

Example

"In the nineteenth century, the town was home to a prestigious female seminary that taught literature, music, and French."

3

A place or environment in which something is nurtured, developed, or fostered.

Example

"The university's research laboratory served as a seminary of groundbreaking scientific ideas."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for seminary

• Nearby Words

seminar
seminarian
seminarist
seminary
seminomad
seminude
semiofficial

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Latin seminarium ('seed plot, nursery'), from semen ('seed'). The figurative sense of a place where students are nurtured and trained for the priesthood was established during the 16th-century Council of Trent.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Seminary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/seminary
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.