Maundy Thursday

noun

Maun·​dy Thursday ˈmȯn-dē- How to pronounce Maundy Thursday (audio)
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
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Maundy Thursday is Thursday, April 2, 2025, according to Time and Date. Chris Sims, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026 In 2026, Lent ends on April 3, known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 2 Feb. 2026 The Christian holiday Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is Thursday, April 2. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 2026 Our first pilgrimage along it, heading to the Maundy Thursday service, we were overtaken by an elderly priest who flew by on an electric wheelchair through the pink haze of the evening, his cassock billowing out behind him. Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Maundy Thursday

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Maundy Thursday was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Maundy Thursday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maundy%20Thursday. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

Maundy Thursday

noun
Maun·​dy Thursday ˌmȯn-dē- How to pronounce Maundy Thursday (audio)
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

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