liturgy

noun

lit·​ur·​gy ˈli-tər-jē 

plural liturgies

1

often capitalized : a eucharistic rite

2

: a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship

a baptismal liturgy

3

: a customary repertoire of ideas, phrases, or observances

Examples of liturgy in a Sentence

studying the liturgies of different religions

He was studying Christian liturgy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Light distorts, sound bends; the signal consumes the chamber, turning technology into liturgy. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

A week later, many of them gathered again for the Sunday Mass on Oct. 5 with the same liturgy, but the focus was on remembering the victims and offering support. —Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025

There are committees on art, music, liturgy, and theology. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

The Holy Father toured the project grounds, fed fish, petted horses and celebrated a liturgy for the program’s students, workers and their families. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin liturgia, from Greek leitourgia public service, from Greek (Attic) leïton public building (from Greek laos — Attic leōs — people) + -ourgia -urgy

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

liturgy

noun

lit·​ur·​gy ˈlit-ər-jē 

plural liturgies

: a religious rite or body of rites

liturgical

lə-ˈtər-ji-kəl

li-

adjective