The body of men set apart, by due ordination, to the service of God, in the Christian church, in distinction from the laity; in England, usually restricted to the ministers of the Established Church.

the group of ordained ministers of a church or denomination; all ministers together as distinguished from lay persons. When used in distinction from laity, the term includes both bishops and priests; sometimes the term refers to all priests except the bishops: as in the expression, "All bishops and other clergy..."

A group who leads or performs certain responsibilities within a religious organization.

a title referring to those who are ordained for the service of God and the Church, including deacons, priests and bishops. A distinction may be made between diocesan clergy, that is, those ordained for a particular diocese and committed in obedience to a particular bishop; and religious clergy, that is, those who belong to a religious community in the Church.