liturgical

adjective

li·​tur·​gi·​cal lə-ˈtər-ji-kəl How to pronounce liturgical (audio)
li-
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of liturgy
the liturgical calendar
liturgical music
2
: using or favoring the use of liturgy
liturgical churches
liturgically adverb

Examples of liturgical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christian liturgical calendar. Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024 Mardi Gras celebrations last anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on the year's liturgical calendar, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024 For Catholics and others who observe the Christian liturgical calendar, the juxtaposition presents something of a dilemma. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The dates of Lent vary each year due to its adherence to the liturgical calendar. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024 So a particular command from the Bible to pray without drawing attention to oneself may seem strange in light of practices on Ash Wednesday, the start of the liturgical season of Lent. Nicole Pelletiere, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2024 The original Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman martyr, was honored in the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar until 1969, Ochoa said, when the church gave the Feb. 14 feast day instead to Sts. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 After that, Catholics, Episcopalians and others will be clear of the strange overlap until the year 2170, some liturgical experts said. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The history of Valentine’s Day and St. Valentine is a bit murky, but the holiday began as a liturgical feast day for a third-century Christian martyr, according to Lisa Bitel, a history and religion professor at the University of Southern California. Holly Meyer, Twin Cities, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liturgical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of liturgical was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near liturgical

Cite this Entry

“Liturgical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liturgical. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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