lord's supper
C2Formal, Religious
Definition
Meaning
The Christian sacrament or ritual commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, involving the consumption of bread and wine (or grape juice) as representations of his body and blood.
The collective event or church service in which this sacrament is celebrated; also used as a name for the Eucharist, Communion, or Mass in some Protestant denominations. It can also refer metaphorically to a deep, spiritual fellowship among believers.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Capitalized as a proper noun. It is a specific term within Christian theology and practice, carrying significant doctrinal and liturgical weight. It is not used in secular contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used across Christian denominations in both regions, though its relative frequency compared to 'Communion' or 'Eucharist' may vary by denomination rather than geography.
Connotations
In both regions, it strongly connotes Protestant (particularly Reformed/Presbyterian, Baptist, and some Methodist) traditions. It is less commonly used in Anglican/Episcopalian or Catholic contexts, where 'Eucharist' or 'Mass' is preferred.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but high frequency within specific religious communities. Slightly more prevalent in American evangelical and reformed circles as a formal title for the service.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The congregation [verb: celebrated/observed] the Lord's Supper.The [noun: pastor/elder] presided at the Lord's Supper.They reflected on the meaning of the Lord's Supper.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To come to the Lord's Table (meaning to participate in Communion)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theological studies, religious history, and liturgical studies.
Everyday
Used only in religious communities during planning or discussion of church services.
Technical
A technical term in Christian liturgy and systematic theology, with specific doctrinal implications regarding the presence of Christ.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The church will Lord's-Supper this Sunday.
American English
- The church will Lord's-Supper this Sunday.
adjective
British English
- Lord's-Supper service
American English
- Lord's-Supper service
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The church has the Lord's Supper every month.
- Before taking the Lord's Supper, members of the church often spend time in prayer.
- The theological significance of the Lord's Supper is a central point of discussion among Protestant denominations.
- His dissertation explored the evolution of the liturgy of the Lord's Supper in early Reformed communities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the LORD hosting a SUPPER (a final meal) for his closest followers; the name directly recalls that event.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNION IS A SACRED MEAL / REMEMBRANCE IS PARTICIPATION (believers metaphorically participate in the original event).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'Ужин Господа' which sounds bizarre. The correct terms are 'Тайная вечеря' (the historical event) or 'Причастие' / 'Евхаристия' (the sacrament).
- Do not confuse with 'Вечеря Господня', which is a direct but rarely used in modern Russian church translation; 'Причастие' is the common term.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Lords Supper' without the apostrophe.
- Using it as a general term for any church potluck dinner.
- Incorrect capitalization: writing 'lord's supper' in lower case.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key concept associated with the Lord's Supper?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both stem from the Last Supper, the Mass (or Eucharist) in Catholic and Orthodox theology involves the doctrine of transubstantiation. The term 'Lord's Supper' is typically used in Protestant traditions that view it primarily as a memorial ordinance.
Frequency varies by denomination and local church. It can range from weekly to monthly, quarterly, or even annually.
Practices vary. Most churches practising the Lord's Supper restrict participation to baptised believers, often further requiring membership in that church or a church of like faith. This is known as 'closed' or 'close' communion.
In many contexts, they are synonyms. However, 'Communion' (or Holy Communion) is a broader term used across many denominations, including Anglican and Catholic, whereas 'Lord's Supper' is a more specific term favoured in Reformed, Baptist, and some evangelical traditions.