lent

1 of 2

past tense and past participle of lend

Lent

2 of 2

noun

ˈlent 

: the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting

Examples of lent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Red is typically seen during Good Friday and feast days for martyrs, reports The Vicksburg Post, and purple is worn during Lent and Advent. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 7 May 2025

Once Easter came and Lent ended, Alvarez offered to take her grandma to some new local spots for chocolate. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Softball Nicole Lent launched two home runs, and Ashleigh Lent doubled and homered as No. 6 Lincoln-Sudbury (18-5) defeated No. 3 King Philip 4-1 in a Div. 1 state quarterfinal matchup. —Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025

Snails were classified as fish by the Catholic Church and could even be eaten during Lent. —Garritt C. Van Dyk, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lente springtime, Lent, from Old English lencten; akin to Old High German lenzin spring

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lent

• Jack-a-Lent

Rhymes for lent

• bent
• blent
• cent
• ent
• fent
• meant
• pent
• rent
• rente
• scent
• sent
• spent

Kids Definition

Lent

noun

ˈlent 

: a period of fasting and regret for one's sins that is observed on the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter by many churches

Lenten

ˈlent-ᵊn

adjective