Pronunciation (UK) IPA (key): /ˈæb.ɪs/ or /ˈæb.ɛs/ (US) IPA (key): /ˈæb.ɪs/ or /ˈæb.ɛs/ Audio (US)(file) Noun Singular abbess Plural abbesses (countable) An abbess is a woman who is a leader of an abbey of nuns. Related words abbot Wikiwand - on Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.Remove ads