a private place of education for the young
"The local seminary provided rigorous academic training and boarding facilities for promising young students seeking higher education outside their hometowns."
a theological school for training ministers or priests or rabbis
"After graduating from college, John enrolled in a seminary to study theology and prepare for his future as a minister."
A theological school for the training of rabbis, priests, or ministers.
"After graduating from college, he enrolled in a seminary to study theology and prepare for ordination as a minister."
In plain English: A seminary is a school where people study to become religious leaders, such as priests or pastors.
"The young priest spent his final year studying at the local seminary before being ordained."
Usage: Do not confuse this word with "seminar," which refers to a short course of study rather than an institution dedicated to religious training. The term is specific to formal theological education and should not be used for general academic workshops.
Of or relating to seed; seminal.
"The scientist studied the seminal cells responsible for human reproduction."
In plain English: A seminary is an adjective describing something related to a school where people study to become religious leaders.
"The seminary students gathered in their dormitory to study theology together."
The word comes from the Latin sēminārium, which originally meant a place for growing seeds or seedlings. It entered English through Middle English to describe an institution where students are trained in religious studies.