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Holy Week

American  

noun

  1. the week preceding Easter Sunday.


Holy Week British  

noun

  1. the week preceding Easter Sunday

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Holy Week

1700–10; translation of Italian settimana santa

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.

The names of the prisoners in the Holy Week release haven’t been made public, and it isn’t known how many have been freed in the 10 days since the dictatorship agreed to let them go.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Last year, Holy Week was the setting for the Argentine pontiff's final public appearances, during which he appeared frail and short of breath.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Holy Week, one of the most sacred periods in the Christian calendar, centers on themes of sacrifice, suffering and redemption — making the address a direct moral intervention at a moment of global tension.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

The government said the decision was "sovereign" and in line with the upcoming Holy Week in the Christian calendar.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

I joined in Padre Ignacio’s Holy Week activities, going to the nightly novenas and daily mass.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez