Standard Lemma guide

offertory

noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈɒfət(ə)ɹi/
  • US: /ˈɑfəɹˌtɔɹi/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A prayer said or sung as an anthem while offerings of bread and wine are placed on the altar during the Roman Catholic Mass or the Anglican Communion service.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The part of the Eucharist service when offerings of bread and wine are placed on the altar and when any collection is taken; also, the money or other things collected.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A linen or silken cloth anciently used in various ceremonies connected with the administration of the Eucharist.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the part of the Eucharist when bread and wine are offered to God

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: Oblation, religious offering

5

noun

Meaning 5

the offerings of the congregation at a religious service

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: offering

History

Etymology

From Late Latin offertorium, from the participle stem of offere (“to offer”).

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: offertorium — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • German: Gabenbereitung — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Italian: offertorio — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Polish: ofertorium — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Polish: offertorium — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Polish: ofiarowanie — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Portuguese: ofertório — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Spanish: ofertorio — the offering of sacremental bread and wine to God during a church service
  • Bulgarian: дарение (darenie) — money offered or donated during a church service
  • Dutch: collecte — money offered or donated during a church service
  • Finnish: kolehti — money offered or donated during a church service
  • German: Kollekte — money offered or donated during a church service
  • Māori: ohaoha — money offered or donated during a church service
  • Dutch: collecte — the part of a church service when offerings are collected
  • Māori: ohaoha — the part of a church service when offerings are collected
  • German: Offertorium — music sung or played during the offertory of a church service
  • Italian: offertorio — music sung or played during the offertory of a church service
Real reading context

offertory in complete knowledge articles