Imbolc

British

/ ˈɪmbəʊlk, ˈɪmbəlk, ˈɪmməlk /

noun

an ancient Celtic festival associated with the goddess Brigit, held on Feb 1 or 2 to mark the beginning of spring. It is also celebrated by modern pagans

"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 Imbolc

C15: from Old Irish oimelc ewe's milk

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.

“For example, Imbolc marks the end of winter, when resources were scarce,” Kubick said.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

What the Celts called Imbolc is also around when Christians celebrate Candlemas, timed to Joseph and Mary’s presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2024

And the Irish government announced in January that starting next year, there will be a new annual holiday, on or near Feb. 1, to mark both Imbolc and Saint Brigid’s Day.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2022

St Brigid's Day is linked to the Celtic festival of Imbolc, heralding the return of spring.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2022

And I pause on 1 February to mark Imbolc, the Gaelic festival that marks the start of spring, when the ewes are pregnant and the first snowdrops are appearing.

From The Guardian • Feb. 9, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023