Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

calvary

noun cal·va·ry \ ˈkal-v(ə-)rē \

Definition of calvary

plural calvaries
1 : an open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus
2 : an experience of usually intense mental suffering

Origin and Etymology of calvary

Calvary, the hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Calvary

geographical name Cal·va·ry \ ˈkal-v(ə-)rē \
variants: or Hebrew Golgotha play \ˈgäl-gə-thə, gäl-ˈgä-thə\

Definition of Calvary

place outside ancient Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

Learn More about calvary

  1. Britannica English: Translation of calvary for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up calvary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

calvary

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games