Hail Mary
Americannoun
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Also called Hail Mary pass,. Also called Hail Mary play. a long forward pass in football, especially as a last-ditch attempt at the end of a game, where completion is considered unlikely.
noun
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Also called: Ave Maria. RC Church a prayer to the Virgin Mary, based on the salutations of the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:42) to her
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slang American football a very long high pass into the end zone, made in the final seconds of a half or of a game
Etymology
Origin of Hail Mary
1300–50; Middle English, translation of Medieval Latin Ave Maria
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.
We also have some great options for staying home: You can now rent Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi film that works for genre and non-genre fans alike.
From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026
One example comes from the recent blockbuster "Project Hail Mary," which features a five-limbed alien with a rock-like exterior.
From Science Daily • Jun. 24, 2026
“With the last $20,000, as a Hail Mary, we created and launched Subway Takes,” says Kuo, who produces the show.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
Third place went to Amazon MGM's hit sci-fi adventure comedy "Project Hail Mary," with $13.2 million.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
We have to know by heart all the prayers, the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Confiteor, the Apostles’ Creed, the Act of Contrition, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
