Candlemas

noun

Can·dle·mas ˈkan-dᵊl-məs

: February 2 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary

Examples of Candlemas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Here are just a few: Come Feb. 2, Candelaria (Candlemas) is a big deal in San Juan de los Lagos and Tlacotalpan, a colonial town on the Gulf. —

Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2023 The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day is closely associated with Groundhog Day. —

Robert Higgs, cleveland, 1 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Candlemas.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English candelmasse, from Old English candelmæsse, from candel + mæsse mass, feast; from the candles blessed and carried in celebration of the feast

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Candlemas was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century