The monastic life, system, or condition.

An ongoing reform movement in the Catholic Church generally regarded as beginning about the middle of the 4th century. It was an attempt to live a stricter, more "apostolic" form of Christianity through prayer, manual labor, and asceticism (mortification*). Monasticism has taken on many forms over the centuries (predominantly through religious institutes* or communities) and has greatly influenced secular as well as Church history.

asceticism as a form of religious life; usually conducted in a community under a common rule and characterized by celibacy and poverty and obedience

the practice of a way of life characteristic of monks and nuns who practice self-denial

A total dedication to spiritual pursuits, usually sought through isolation and/or ascetic lifestyle which can include vows of poverty, silence, and celibacy.

Monasticism is the ancient style of vowed religious life which typically includes community, prayer, common worship, silence, and labour. It is governed by a monastic rule, or way of life, which involves a choice to live apart from society and the world, and so to witness in a radical way to Jesus Christ.

Organized communities established to pursue asceticism in isolation from the world

Monasticism (from Greek: monachos — a solitary person) is the religious practice in which one renounces worldly pursuits in order to fully devote one's life to spiritual work.