Illustration of monstrance
monstrance
noun
mon·strance
ˈmän(t)-strən(t)s 
: a vessel in which the consecrated Host is exposed for the adoration of the faithful
Examples of monstrance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the end of the Mass, Leo carried a gilded monstrance, or container, holding a Eucharistic host and walked over some of the 16 floral carpets that decorated the procession route, as children dropped additional petals before him and the crowd tossed petals from behind the barricades.
—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
The image of the solitary pontiff lifting the monstrance into the darkest of dark nights was a gesture that acknowledged and in some ways healed those suffering isolation and grief.
—
The Editors,
National Review,
21 Apr. 2025
Most recently, Surak received, through the mail, two brass monstrances displaying relics of St. Benilde.
—
Eric Lach,
The New Yorker,
29 July 2024
In one of the ballrooms, the priest set up the monstrance for adoration, so people could continue to pray in Christ’s presence.
—
Tim Busch,
WSJ,
14 Oct. 2021
And inside the sunburst, called the monstrance, was the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated eucharist bread that Roman Catholics believe to be the body of Jesus.
—
New York Times,
26 June 2021
In this place of honor, the priests and deacon took turns carrying a monstrance, an ornate gilded container made to hold the consecrated holy Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the body and blood of Christ.
—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
chicagotribune.com,
8 June 2021
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Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
The image of the solitary pontiff lifting the monstrance into the darkest of dark nights was a gesture that acknowledged and in some ways healed those suffering isolation and grief.
—
The Editors,
National Review,
21 Apr. 2025
Most recently, Surak received, through the mail, two brass monstrances displaying relics of St. Benilde.
—
Eric Lach,
The New Yorker,
29 July 2024
In one of the ballrooms, the priest set up the monstrance for adoration, so people could continue to pray in Christ’s presence.
—
Tim Busch,
WSJ,
14 Oct. 2021
And inside the sunburst, called the monstrance, was the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated eucharist bread that Roman Catholics believe to be the body of Jesus.
—
New York Times,
26 June 2021
In this place of honor, the priests and deacon took turns carrying a monstrance, an ornate gilded container made to hold the consecrated holy Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the body and blood of Christ.
—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
chicagotribune.com,
8 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Monstrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monstrance. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
monstrance
noun
mon·strance
ˈmän(t)-strən(t)s
: a vessel in which the consecrated Host is exposed
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