Wiktionary
n. (context religion English) An organized community of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of the founder's religious practice.
WordNet
n. a subdivision of a larger religious group [syn: sect, religious sect]
Wikipedia
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates ( laity) and, in some traditions, ordained clergy. Religious orders exist in many of the world's religions.
Usage examples of "religious order".
Prince Henry used the revenues of the domains of his religious order to equip several expeditions which explored the hinterland of the Sahara and of the coast of Guinea.
The Bene Gesserit, who privately denied they were a religious order, but who operated behind an almost impenetrable screen of ritual mysticism, and whose training, whose symbolism, organization, and internal teaching methods were almost wholly religious.