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Holy Week

American

noun

the week preceding Easter Sunday.

Holy Week British

noun

the week preceding Easter Sunday

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Holy Week

1700–10; translation of Italian settimana santa

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In March, Leo XIV spoke out against those who advocate war in a speech marking the start of Holy Week, in the shadow of the ongoing Iran War.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

The names of the prisoners in the Holy Week release haven’t been made public, and it isn’t known how many have been freed in the 10 days since the dictatorship agreed to let them go.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

"I think that the high fuel prices that I have to pay to be here are just part of my sacrifices this Holy Week," Margate told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

However, he welcomed Israeli government efforts to address the situation and facilitate other Holy Week activities.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Soon after our conference, school was out for Holy Week.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023