the sign of the cross

noun phrase

: a movement of the hand that forms a cross shape and that is done as an expression of the Christian faith
She knelt and made the sign of the cross.

Examples of the sign of the cross in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After presenting the wreath at the memorial, also known as the Tomb of the Unknowns, Biden made the sign of the cross. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 27 May 2024 Colorado’s Lauren Boebert sensed the evil vibe happening around her and made the sign of the cross, but only Florida’s Anna Paulina Luna spoke up to calm the hysteria. Armond White, National Review, 22 May 2024 As plant employees begin and end their work shift, some make the sign of the cross, leave flowers and pray at the shrine. Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2024 Like the sign of the cross or blowing on dice, a ritual is a prescribed sequence of gestures or words that make a moment sacred, holy. Mira Ptacin, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023 The minister took off his peaked cap and made the sign of the cross according to Orthodox tradition. Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2019 To Celts, a sudden gust of air — thought to be a mischievous fairy wind — awakens a deep-down stirring, and the pious would make the sign of the cross whenever the wind blew. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 2 June 2023 The rays of Eternal Russia have made the sign of the cross on you! Vladimir Sorokin, Harper's Magazine, 13 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the sign of the cross.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near the sign of the cross

Cite this Entry

“The sign of the cross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20sign%20of%20the%20cross. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

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