Maundy Thursday

noun

Maun·​dy Thursday ˈmȯn-dē- 

ˈmän-

: the Thursday before Easter observed in commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist

Examples of Maundy Thursday in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maundy Thursday is Thursday, April 2, 2026, according to Time and Date. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Feb. 2026

The Triduum of Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, with Easter taking place the following day. —Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026

The week leading up to Easter, often called Holy Week, includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

When is Easter 2026? After Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday comes Easter, which falls on Sunday, April 5 in 2026. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maunde ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday, from Anglo-French mandet, from Latin mandatum command; from Jesus' words in John 13:34 — more at mandate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Maundy Thursday

• andromache
• bioassay
• cabriolet
• cercariae
• communique
• companionway
• compositae
• decussate
• examinee
• fabaceae
• glyphosate
• microarray

Kids Definition

Maundy Thursday

noun

Maun·​dy Thursday ˌmȯn-dē- 

ˌmän-

: the Thursday before Easter

Etymology

Middle English maunde "ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on the Thursday before Easter," from early French mandé (same meaning), from Latin mandatum "command"; so called from Jesus' words "A new Commandment I give to you …" in John 13:34 (RSV) after he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper