rosary

noun ro·sa·ry \ ˈrō-zə-rē , ˈrōz-rē \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of rosary

plural rosaries

1 often capitalized : a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of meditation on usually five sacred mysteries during recitation of five decades of Hail Marys of which each begins with an Our Father and ends with a Gloria Patri

2 : a string of beads used in counting prayers especially of the Roman Catholic rosary

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Recent Examples of rosary from the Web

When Joe Tobin was growing up, there was a rosary after dinner every night.

— patricia montemurri, Detroit Free Press, "Can Cardinal Joe, a native Detroiter, rise to become 1st American pope?," 1 Apr. 2018
When Joe Tobin was growing up, there was a rosary after dinner every night.

— patricia montemurri, Indianapolis Star, "Can Cardinal Joseph Tobin rise to become 1st American pope?," 1 Apr. 2018
At the trial, in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, Mr. St. Hubert, 31, sat beside his lawyer each day, mostly stone-faced and wearing a rosary.

— alan feuer, New York Times, "At Brooklyn Trial, a Motive in Child’s Murder Remains Elusive," 30 Mar. 2018
Bruce presented his own faith journey after tragedy, writing notes of support to middle-school students, praying the rosary, and open discussions.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Catholic Memorial students say faith-based activities accomplish more than walkouts," 14 Mar. 2018
Students could also choose to pray the rosary in the auditorium or write letters to members of congress, senators and other government leaders in the cafeteria.

— rachel k. hindery, chicagotribune.com, "At Fenwick, 'pray for the dead, protest for the living' a theme at walkout event," 14 Mar. 2018
Craven, a 37-year-old married mother of four, makes large balloon arrangements, usually resembling a cross or a rosary, that are released into the sky during a child’s funeral or memorial service.

— peggy o’hare, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio woman finds strength helping other grieving parents," 29 Jan. 2018
The pope didn't come empty handed either; Francis gifted the bride a white rosary and the groom a black one.

— melissa minton, Condé Nast Traveler, "Pope Francis Married a Couple on a Chilean Flight," 18 Jan. 2018
For example, Dillon said Sen. Bob Nonini, a Republican from Coeur d’Alene, waved a rosary while talking to students about abstinence but did not shout or demean the students.

— kimberlee kruesi and statesman staff, idahostatesman, "Idaho lawmaker tells students to leave or he’ll call police | Idaho Statesman," 19 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of rosary

Medieval Latin rosarium, from Latin, rose garden, from neuter of rosarius of roses, from rosa rose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1547

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ROSARY Defined for English Language Learners

rosary

noun

Definition of rosary for English Language Learners

: a string of beads that are used by Roman Catholics for counting prayers
the Rosary : a set of Roman Catholic prayers that are repeated in a specific order

ROSARY Defined for Kids

rosary

noun ro·sa·ry \ ˈrō-zə-rē \

Definition of rosary for Students

plural rosaries

: a string of beads used in counting prayers

Medical Dictionary

rosary

noun ro·sa·ry \ ˈrōz-(ə-)rē \

medical Definition of rosary

plural rosaries

: beading

Learn More about rosary

Spanish Central: Translation of rosary Nglish: Translation of rosary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rosary for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rosary

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rosary

Definition of rosary

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Origin and Etymology of rosary

ROSARY Defined for English Language Learners

rosary

Definition of rosary for English Language Learners

ROSARY Defined for Kids

rosary

Definition of rosary for Students

Medical Dictionary

rosary

medical Definition of rosary

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