Easter

noun

Eas·​ter ˈē-stər How to pronounce Easter (audio)
: a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon

Examples of Easter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Avoid mowing after 5 p.m. when families may be eating, on the Easter holiday, or during the neighbor kid's outdoor birthday party. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 June 2025 The first ever Tony Awards were held over dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria hotel on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 June 2025 Mortensen’s is open every day of the year except Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025 Omar Havana/Getty Images What To Know The attacks began over Easter weekend, but have not led to major disruptions. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for Easter

Word History

Etymology

Middle English estre, from Old English ēastre; akin to Old High German ōstarun (plural) Easter, Old English ēast east

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Easter was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Easter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Easter. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

Easter

noun
Eas·​ter ˈē-stər How to pronounce Easter (audio)
: a Christian holiday celebrating Christ's resurrection that is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after March 21

More from Merriam-Webster on Easter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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