Candlemas
noun
Can·dle·mas
ˈkan-dᵊl-məs 
: February 2 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary
Examples of Candlemas in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
December 21, 2024: December solstice February 2, 2025: Groundhog Day and Candlemas, a holy day in the Christian calendar (midpoint between the solstice and equinox).
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Groundhog Day is an American tradition dating to 1887 and has origins in the European celebration of Candlemas, the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
The first Groundhog's Day was celebrated on Feb. 2, 1887, at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney and has roots in the Christian tradition of Candlemas where a clergy would bless and distribute candles for winter.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 2 Feb. 2024
Groundhog Day is rooted in the Christian holiday Candlemas, the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
—The Enquirer, 2 Feb. 2024
Early Christians believed that clear skies on Candlemas Day, which falls on Feb. 2, meant a longer winter was ahead, according to the National Weather Service.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024
The longstanding ritual began when Roman legions brought that tradition to the Germanic tribes who concluded that if the sun appeared on Candlemas Day and a hedgehog cast a shadow, there would be six more weeks of bad weather to come.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024
While the quirky day got its start in the late 19th century, historians believe Groundhog Day stems from Candlemas, a Christian holiday that dates back to the fourth century.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
Our tree now goes up Christmas Eve and down the day after Candlemas (Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple).
—WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Groundhog Day is an American tradition dating to 1887 and has origins in the European celebration of Candlemas, the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
The first Groundhog's Day was celebrated on Feb. 2, 1887, at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney and has roots in the Christian tradition of Candlemas where a clergy would bless and distribute candles for winter.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 2 Feb. 2024
Groundhog Day is rooted in the Christian holiday Candlemas, the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
—The Enquirer, 2 Feb. 2024
Early Christians believed that clear skies on Candlemas Day, which falls on Feb. 2, meant a longer winter was ahead, according to the National Weather Service.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024
The longstanding ritual began when Roman legions brought that tradition to the Germanic tribes who concluded that if the sun appeared on Candlemas Day and a hedgehog cast a shadow, there would be six more weeks of bad weather to come.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024
While the quirky day got its start in the late 19th century, historians believe Groundhog Day stems from Candlemas, a Christian holiday that dates back to the fourth century.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 2 Feb. 2024
Our tree now goes up Christmas Eve and down the day after Candlemas (Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple).
—WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024
Articles Related to Candlemas
Dictionary Entries Near Candlemas
Cite this Entry
“Candlemas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Candlemas. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Candlemas
noun
Can·dle·mas
ˈkan-dᵊl-məs
: February 2 observed as a Christian festival in honor of the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share