: the Thursday before Easter observed in commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist
Examples of Maundy Thursday in a Sentence
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When is 2026 Maundy Thursday date?—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 17 Feb. 2026 When is 2026 Maundy Thursday date?—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026 In 2026, Lent ends on April 3, known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 2 Feb. 2026 The Christian holiday Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is Thursday, April 2.—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Maundy Thursday
Word History
Etymology
Middle English maunde ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday, from Anglo-French mandet, from Latin mandatum command; from Jesus' words in John 13:34 — more at mandate
Middle English maunde "ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on the Thursday before Easter," from early French mandé (same meaning), from Latin mandatum "command"; so called from Jesus' words "A new Commandment I give to you …" in John 13:34 (RSV) after he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper