Easter

noun

Eas·​ter ˈē-stər How to pronounce Easter (audio)
: a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon

Examples of Easter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The shoutout was an Easter egg for South L.A. fans who knew of secret flavors like the Thai shrimp taco that Nathan orders — as well as the takeout window’s infamous wait times. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Indeed, the series packs each episode with Easter eggs that are sure to delight fans, including a certain familiar earworm and the return of everyone’s favorite cabbage merchant. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024 News of the scholarship was announced on Katharine’s birthday and outlined that the new award will be available to young singers from low-income backgrounds to participate in the National Children’s Choir during Easter and summer school residentials. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner and pretty enough for an Easter table. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024 The 40 days of prayer, fasting and abstinence prepare Christians for the celebration of Easter. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 Its Easter eggs are all cinematic references, not memes. Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 Christopher Furlong, Getty Images Prince William attends the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 9, 2023, with his wife Princess Kate and three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Processions take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, when the entire city is cast with an ethereal candlelit glow. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Easter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estre, from Old English ēastre; akin to Old High German ōstarun (plural) Easter, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Easter was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Easter

Cite this Entry

“Easter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Easter. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Easter

noun
Eas·​ter ˈē-stər How to pronounce Easter (audio)
: a Christian holiday celebrating Christ's resurrection that is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after March 21

More from Merriam-Webster on Easter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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