maundy thursday: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowReligious, Formal, Calendar-specific
Quick answer
What does “maundy thursday” mean?
The Thursday before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles and his washing of their feet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Thursday before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles and his washing of their feet.
In the Christian tradition, it marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum (the three days leading to Easter). It is associated with the institution of the Eucharist and the commandment (maundy) to love one another, symbolized by the foot-washing ritual in some denominations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties. The main difference is in associated cultural practices; for example, the British monarch's distribution of Maundy money is a notable UK tradition.
Connotations
Strongly Christian/religious. In the UK, it may also have historical/royal connotations due to the Maundy money ceremony. In the US, it is primarily a liturgical term.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in the UK due to the annual news coverage of the Royal Maundy ceremony, though overall usage is low in both regions outside religious contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “maundy thursday” in a Sentence
[Observe/Celebrate] + Maundy Thursday[On/Before/After] + Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday + [service/ceremony/mass]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, and religious studies contexts.
Everyday
Used by Christians discussing Easter plans or church services. Uncommon in secular everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term in liturgics (the study of liturgical worship) and Christian calendar dating.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maundy thursday”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maundy thursday”
- Writing it in lowercase ('maundy thursday').
- Confusing it with other days of Holy Week, like Good Friday.
- Using it as a countable noun ('a Maundy Thursday').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In most English-speaking countries, it is not a federal or national public holiday, though some Christian institutions may grant time off.
It derives from the Latin 'mandatum' (commandment), referring to Jesus's words at the Last Supper: 'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another' (John 13:34).
In the UK, specially minted coins given by the monarch to deserving senior citizens in a ceremony on Maundy Thursday, symbolising the washing of the feet and acts of charity.
Most major denominations (Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, etc.) observe it, though the specific rituals (like foot-washing) can vary.
The Thursday before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles and his washing of their feet.
Maundy thursday is usually religious, formal, calendar-specific in register.
Maundy thursday: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɔːndi ˈθɜːzdeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɔːndi ˈθɜːrzdeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MAUNDY sounds like 'commandment' – the day Jesus gave a new commandment to love one another. THURSDAY is the day of the week.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; it is a proper noun for a specific day.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary etymological origin of 'Maundy' in Maundy Thursday?