ˈklɔɪstə ˈklɔɪstɚ ˈklɔɪstə ˈklɔɪstɚ seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister She cloistered herself in the office surround with a cloister cloister the garden surround with a cloister, as of a garden a courtyard with covered walks (as in religious institutions) residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery)