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

Many of those at the Mass had been in place for hours to secure a spot for the vibrant liturgy interspersed with music from a local choir. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

The Vatican had predicted some 600,000 people would turn out for the liturgy. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

The Vatican predicted some 600,000 people would turn out for the liturgy, the biggest crowd Leo is expected to draw on his 11-day odyssey, the first to Africa by history's first American pope. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

There's no mass on Good Friday, but instead a liturgy focused on the crucifixion. —Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

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