Seminary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈse-mə-ˌner-ē/ sem·i·nary

Meaning & Definition of Seminary

Seminary (noun)

  1. an environment in which something originates and from which it is propagated
  2. an institution of secondary or higher education
  3. an institution for the training of candidates for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate

Seminary (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place or establishment for teaching and learning

    "a seminary exclusively for women"

    similar: academe, academy, school
    related: boarding school, prep, preparatory school, prep school, common school, elementary school, grammar school, high school, junior high school, kindergarten, middle school, primary school, public school, secondary school, senior high school, trade school, training school, charter school, magnet school, minischool, madrassa, Sunday school, yeshiva

  2. a place or environment that favors the development of something

    "some claimed that orphanages were seminaries of sin and petty crime, turning out juvenile delinquents by the score"

    similar: breeding ground, hotbed, hothouse, nest, nidus, nursery, seedbed
    related: crucible, base, capital, center, core, cynosure, eye, focus, heart, hub, mecca, nucleus, seat, headquarters

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Seminary

The most common words with a similar meaning to Seminary:

academe, academy, school, breeding ground, hotbed, hothouse, nest, nidus, nursery, seedbed

Related Words for Seminary

boarding school, prep, preparatory school, prep school, common school, elementary school, grammar school, high school, junior high school, kindergarten, middle school, primary school, public school, secondary school, senior high school, trade school, training school, charter school, magnet school, minischool, madrassa, Sunday school, yeshiva, crucible, base, capital, center, core, cynosure, eye

Word Forms of Seminary

Inflections: seminaries

Origin & Etymology of Seminary

Middle English, seedbed, nursery, from Latin seminarium, from semin-, semen seed

First known use: 1542

Words & Phrases Containing Seminary

major seminary, minor seminary

Frequently Asked Questions about Seminary

What does "Seminary" mean?

"Seminary" means an environment in which something originates and from which it is propagated. As a noun, it is defined as: an environment in which something originates and from which it is propagated. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Seminary"?

Other words for "Seminary" include academe, academy, school, breeding ground, hotbed, hothouse, nest and nidus. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Seminary" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Seminary"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Seminary". Common alternatives include academe, academy, school, breeding ground, hotbed, hothouse, nest, nidus, nursery and seedbed.

How do you use "Seminary" in a sentence?

Examples of "Seminary" in a sentence: "a seminary exclusively for women"; "some claimed that orphanages were seminaries of sin and petty crime, turning out juvenile delinquents by the score".

Is "Seminary" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Seminary" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Seminary"?

"Seminary" is pronounced /ˈse-mə-ˌner-ē/ and divided into syllables as sem·i·nary.

What is the origin of the word "Seminary"?

"Seminary" comes from Middle English, seedbed, nursery, from Latin seminarium, from semin-, semen seed. First known use: 1542.

What is another word for "Seminary" meaning "a place or establishment for teaching and learning"?

When "Seminary" (noun) means a place or establishment for teaching and learning, synonyms include academe, academy and school.