liturgical

adjective

li·​tur·​gi·​cal lə-ˈtər-ji-kəl How to pronounce liturgical (audio)
li-
Synonyms of liturgicalnext
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of liturgy
the liturgical calendar
liturgical music
2
: using or favoring the use of liturgy
liturgical churches
liturgically
lə-ˈtər-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce liturgical (audio)
li-
adverb

Examples of liturgical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026 The solemn liturgical service included the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of John. — Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 The document has been commented on more widely than previous popes’ encyclicals, which traditionally have been heavy on turgid liturgical language. — Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 26 May 2026 Alongside official ceremonies and liturgical events, Leo is expected to emphasize his concern for marginalized communities. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for liturgical

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of liturgical was in 1641

Rhymes for liturgical

See All Rhymes for liturgical

Browse Nearby Words

liturate
liturgical
liturgician
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Liturgical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liturgical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on liturgical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for liturgical

Nglish: Translation of liturgical for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All