Hail Mary

noun

plural Hail Marys
1
: a Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary that consists of salutations and a plea for her intercession
2
or less commonly Hail Mary pass : a long forward pass in football thrown into or near the end zone in a last-ditch attempt to score as time runs out
often used figuratively
The only potential cure is a stem-cell transplant, when you take somebody else's immune system and put it into yours. But right now that's kind of a Hail Mary pass.Douglas Cote, quoted in Bicycling

Examples of Hail Mary in a Sentence

He threw up a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That included a takedown on a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half, sending the Tigers into the locker room on a sour note. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025 After Xaverian missed a go-ahead 36-yard field goal attempt to end the third, Staine decided to begin the fourth and final quarter with one of his signature Hail Mary shots. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 Of the various motions, the one that will attract the most attention and likely take up the most time is Combs’ Hail Mary move to have the jury’s verdict tossed out. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025 The visiting Olympians almost completed a Hail Mary in the back of the end zone but the pass was ruled incomplete. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Hail Mary

Word History

Etymology

translation of Medieval Latin Ave, Maria, from the opening words

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hail Mary was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hail Mary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hail%20Mary. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Hail Mary

noun
-ˈme(ə)r-ē,
-ˈma(ə)r-ē,
-ˈmā-rē
: a Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary

More from Merriam-Webster on Hail Mary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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