noun A male head of an abbey of monks
The abbot general is the head of a religious order or congregation, overseeing the spiritual and administrative affairs of the group.
Within the Catholic Church, the abbot general may hold a position of leadership within a specific religious order, such as the Benedictines or Cistercians.
In monastic communities, the abbot general is responsible for the overall governance and guidance of the monks or nuns under their authority.
An abbot general is the head of a religious order or congregation of monks, overseeing all of the abbeys or monasteries within the order.
In some religious denominations, an abbot general may also be responsible for overseeing a group of monasteries or religious houses, similar to a bishop's role in overseeing a diocese.
In historical contexts, the term abbot general may be used to refer to the highest-ranking abbot within a particular religious order or tradition.