calvary

noun

cal·​va·​ry ˈkal-v(ə-)rē 

plural calvaries

1

: an open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus

2

: an experience of usually intense mental suffering

Examples of calvary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Escorting Cowing was a calvary of teammates including KhaDarel Hodge, Josiah Deguara, Jalen Stroman and Sincere McCormick. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

The new buildings contrast with the base's red brick buildings constructed when calvary charges still dominated the battlefield. — Ian Lee, CBS News, 5 May 2026

Some of these calvaries, like one of the oldest, at Tronoën, near the seashore southwest of Quimper, assemble an enormous cast of actors. — Rosanna Warren, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024

The days after news of the deaths have been a calvary for those left behind, Amarinder Singh said. — Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Calvary, the hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Geographical Definition

Calvary

geographical name

Cal·​va·​ry ˈkal-v(ə-)rē 

variants or Hebrew Golgotha

ˈgäl-gə-thə 

gäl-ˈgä-thə

place outside ancient Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified