lent

IPA/lent/
KK[lˈɛnt]IPA/lent/

lent — noun

1. the period of forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, during which C

1.nounB1
Definition

the period of forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, during which Christians practise penitence and many choose to give up certain pleasures, eat less, or perform extra acts of kindness in remembrance of the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Example

Roya decided to give up chocolate for Lent last year.

collocation: give up [something] for Lent

During Lent, many Christian communities hold special evening services each week.

Common collocations
  • observe Lent
  • during Lent
  • give something up for Lent
  • keep Lent
  • Lent begins

Usage Note

This word is a proper noun and is usually capitalised in English. It is most commonly used with the preposition 'during' ('during Lent') or as part of the phrase 'give [something] up for Lent'.

Common Mistakes

I am going to lent church on Sunday.
I am going to church during Lent.
'Lent' is a noun for a period of time, not a verb for an action.

lent — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lent, Advent, Ramadan, and Holy Week are all religious observance periods, but they differ in timing and purpose. Lent is the 40-day Christian period before Easter focused on penitence and fasting. Advent is the four-week Christian season before Christmas focused on anticipation and preparation. Ramadan is the Islamic month of daytime fasting from dawn to sunset, observed with increased prayer and charity. Holy Week is the Christian week leading up to Easter, commemorating the final days of Jesus's life. For example: 'She gave up sweets for Lent.' / 'The family lights an Advent candle each Sunday.' / 'Fasting from sunrise to sunset is practiced during Ramadan.' / 'Many churches hold special services during Holy Week.'

Advent ↗Ramadan ↗Holy Week

Common collocations

Phrases

  • give something up for Lent
  • observe Lent
  • Lent begins
  • during Lent

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The noun 'Lent' comes from the Old English word 'lencten', which originally meant 'spring season' — referring to the time of year when Lent takes place in the Northern Hemisphere. In Old English, 'lenctenfæsten' ('spring fast') described the religious observance, and over time the shortened form 'Lent' came to refer specifically to the Christian fasting period before Easter.