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

Paul Turner, local organist and liturgy expert, will give a lecture at 3 p.m. June 2 at Visitation before the concert. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2024

The liturgies of this sacred week bid you to simply endure them — their sheer testing length, their beauty, and their drama. —Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024

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