Ash Wednesday

noun

1. the first day of Lent.

Ash Wednesday

noun

1. the first day of Lent, named from the practice of Christians of placing ashes on their heads as a sign of penitence

Ash Wednesday

1. The seventh Wednesday before Easter ; the first day of Lent for most Christians (see also Christian ); the day after “Fat Tuesday,” or Mardi Gras . It is frequently observed as a day of fasting and repentance for sin. In some churches , ashes are placed on the foreheads of worshipers on Ash Wednesday as a reminder of their mortality. The words of God to Adam in the Bible (see also Bible ) are often used in the ceremony: “ Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return .”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ash Wednesday¹

First recorded in 1250–1300

Example Sentences

Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly as he presided over Ash Wednesday services at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.

From Seattle Times

Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly during Ash Wednesday services that he presided over at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.

From Seattle Times

In fact, I’m the Aunt Crabby who didn’t think we should even be holding our citywide Super Bowl street party on Ash Wednesday, when everyone knows that Fat Tuesday is the right day for revelry.

From Seattle Times

Viradouro was the last samba school to parade in the two-day contest held before Ash Wednesday.

From BBC

For Mr. Diamond, a practicing Catholic, another deadline was also looming: This year, Valentine’s Day happens to fall on Ash Wednesday, customarily devoted to penitence and fasting.

From New York Times