liturgy

American  

[lit-er-jee] / ˈlɪt ər dʒi /

noun

plural

liturgies

1. a form of public worship; ritual.

2. a collection of formularies for public worship.

3. a particular arrangement of services.

4. a particular form or type of the Eucharistic service.

5. the service of the Eucharist, especially this service Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Church.

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liturgy British  

/ ˈlɪtədʒɪ /

noun

1. the forms of public services officially prescribed by a Church

2. Also called: Divine Liturgy.  (often capital) Eastern Churches the Eucharistic celebration

3. a particular order or form of public service laid down by a Church

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Other Word Forms

• antiliturgy adjective

Etymology

Origin of liturgy

1550–60; < Late Latin lītūrgia < Greek leitourgía public service, ecclesiastical Greek: Eucharist, equivalent to leitourg ( ós ) minister + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

As we enter the Christmas season, Garcia noted that the Christmas liturgy is an annual reminder that joy is possible even in the darkest times, and that the two often go together.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

As the priest then began the offertory portion of the liturgy, which often is accompanied by quiet music, the organist played a reflective piece very slowly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

Despite the couple's spiritual beliefs, this weekend's wedding ceremony will follow a more traditional canon, with Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte officiating according to the Norwegian Church's wedding liturgy.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2024

They're therefore absent from the liturgy and the Eucharist.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2024

Explained, too, were why the telephone calls had come on Sundays, whenever Tessie was at church, and the music in the background, which Milton now identified as the priests chanting the liturgy.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• observance
• rite
• ritual