1. the practices, way of life, or customs of monks
2. monks collectively; the monastic community
3. foolish or ridiculous behavior
Usage: informal; dated

Examples

• The medieval abbey was a center of monkery and learning.
• He studied the traditions of monkery in different religious orders.
• The local monkery included dozens of devoted brothers.
• She dismissed his complaints as mere monkery.
• The monastery preserved centuries of monkery and scholarship.
• His theatrical antics were nothing but monkery to distract from the real issues.