passion play

noun, often capitalized 1st P

Definition of passion play

: a dramatic representation of the scenes connected with the passion and crucifixion of Jesus

See passion play defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of passion play from the Web

The script and lyrics, largely airlifted intact from an 1897 stage drama by the French playwright Charles Peguy, have the declamatory fervor of a passion play, with characters serving as philosophic mouthpieces rather than vessels of human drama.

— ty burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Before she was Joan of Arc," 9 May 2018
The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018
The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018
The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018
My dad would even play Jesus in some of our passion plays in church.

— michael paulson, New York Times, "John Legend and the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Cast on Faith and Musicals," 29 Mar. 2018
Planning ahead, many of the lines are already promoting cruises that will include premier seating at Oberammergau’s passion play in 2020 in Bavaria.

— ellen uzelac, chicagotribune.com, "European river cruises get radical makeover with immersive experiences, exercise," 25 Mar. 2018
The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018
The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 9-15: Author Brad Metzer & More," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passion play.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.