Palm Sunday

American  

noun

1. the Sunday before Easter, celebrated in commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

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Palm Sunday British  

noun

1. the Sunday before Easter commemorating Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem

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Palm Sunday Cultural  

1. The Sunday before Easter. It is celebrated by Christians (see also Christian) to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem) five days before his Crucifixion. On that occasion, the people of Jerusalem laid palm leaves in his path as a sign of welcome. Palms are carried or worn by worshipers in many churches on Palm Sunday.

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Etymology

Origin of Palm Sunday

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

In his Palm Sunday homily last week, Pope Leo said that Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

During his inaugural Palm Sunday address, the pontiff denounced those who use God to justify war and urged prayers for peace, particularly for those suffering in the Middle East.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday the Latin Patriarch would get "full and immediate access" to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, after police denied him entry on Palm Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

The mark is made with the moistened ashes of palms that were burned after the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

At the wilted palm from Palm Sunday that’s still tucked behind the picture of the Virgin Mary.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy