Eucharist

noun

Eu·​cha·​rist ˈyü-k(ə-)rəst 

1

: communion sense 2a

2

Christian Science : spiritual communion with God

eucharistic

ˌyü-kə-ˈri-stik 

adjective often capitalized

Examples of Eucharist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The statement said the 88-year-old pontiff was in a good mood and received the Eucharist earlier Tuesday morning. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th St., holds Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8 a.m and Holy Eucharist Rite II with hymns at 10:30 a.m. and Evensong at 4 p.m. Sundays. —arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Some of the nuns prostrate themselves while praying before the Eucharist. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Histories of eating disorders often begin with anorexia mirabilis (the holy loss of appetite), a medieval phenomenon of fasting saints who subsisted on little more than the Eucharist. —Anna Shechtman, Harper's Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eukarist, from Anglo-French eukariste, from Late Latin eucharistia, from Greek, Eucharist, gratitude, from eucharistos grateful, from eu- + charizesthai to show favor, from charis favor, grace, gratitude; akin to Greek chairein to rejoice — more at yearn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Eucharist

• the Eucharist

Kids Definition

Eucharist

noun

Eu·​cha·​rist ˈyü-k(ə-)rəst 

: communion sense 1a

eucharistic

ˌyü-kə-ˈris-tik 

adjective often capitalized

Etymology

derived from Greek eucharistia "Eucharist, gratitude," from eu- "good" and charizesthai "to show favor or gratitude"