liturgy

noun

lit·​ur·​gy ˈli-tər-jē 

plural liturgies

1

often Liturgy : 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

Thursday’s liturgy recalls the foot-washing Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at The Last Supper together before he was crucified. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

There's no mass on Good Friday, but instead a liturgy focused on the crucifixion. —Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem will be able to conduct liturgies and ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church yesterday. —Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the most sacred period in the Christian calendar, with Sunday’s liturgy commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

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