liturgy

noun

lit·​ur·​gy ˈli-tər-jē 

plural liturgies

1

often Liturgy : a eucharistic rite

2

: a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship

a baptismal liturgy

3

: a customary repertoire of ideas, phrases, or observances

Examples of liturgy in a Sentence

studying the liturgies of different religions

He was studying Christian liturgy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like with honorific titles and church liturgies, the religion viewed setting aside special days as a human convention outside of divine law. —JSTOR Daily, 24 Nov. 2025

But this simple phrase is the father and son’s most sacred liturgy. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

To illustrate his point, Mogomo held up a copy of a hymnal in Shona, a local language spoken in many parts of Zimbabwe, drew inspiration from an English hymnal but is retrofitted to contain more culturally meaningful liturgy. —Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Nov. 2025

Light distorts, sound bends; the signal consumes the chamber, turning technology into liturgy. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin liturgia, from Greek leitourgia public service, from Greek (Attic) leïton public building (from Greek laos — Attic leōs — people) + -ourgia -urgy

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

liturgy

noun

lit·​ur·​gy ˈlit-ər-jē 

plural liturgies

: a religious rite or body of rites

liturgical

lə-ˈtər-ji-kəl, 

li-

adjective