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.

Churches plan Masses in honor of the saint, while Wiccan and other pagan groups plan meditations and other ceremonies in honor of the goddess and in observance of Imbolc.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

"Imbolc is observed on February 1 to celebrate the start of spring at the cross-quarter day, which now occurs on February 3 in the Gregorian calendar," Méndez says.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2023

Imbolc falls on Feb. 1 — Saint Brigid’s feast day.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 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

Pagans, however, will be celebrating Imbolc - the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2014

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