offertory
noun
of·fer·to·ry
ˈȯ-fər-ˌtȯr-ē 
ˈȯ-fə-,
ˈä-
plural offertories
1
often capitalized
a
: the eucharistic offering of bread and wine to God before they are consecrated
b
: a verse from a Psalm said or sung at the beginning of the offertory
2
a
: the period of collection and presentation of the offerings of the congregation at public worship
b
: a musical composition played or sung during an offertory
Examples of offertory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Gratian was on her best behavior that November Sunday and reached full artistic glory as Janet Lumpkin played the Johann Pachelbel offertory hymn.
—
Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
There are similar challenges in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where in-person attendance is roughly a quarter of pre-pandemic levels and offertory revenue is down about 10% after plunging 30% early in the outbreak.
—David Crary, Star Tribune, 3 Oct. 2020
About 60% of the parish’s offertory transactions come electronically, and 52% of its members give online, the top figures in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, 6 Dec. 2019
Stanley also served as an offertory collector during weekly Mass for many years.
—courant.com, 17 May 2018
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Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
There are similar challenges in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where in-person attendance is roughly a quarter of pre-pandemic levels and offertory revenue is down about 10% after plunging 30% early in the outbreak.
—David Crary, Star Tribune, 3 Oct. 2020
About 60% of the parish’s offertory transactions come electronically, and 52% of its members give online, the top figures in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, 6 Dec. 2019
Stanley also served as an offertory collector during weekly Mass for many years.
—courant.com, 17 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Offertory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offertory. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offertory
noun
of·fer·to·ry
ˈȯf-ə(r)-ˌtōr-ē
ˈäf-,
-ˌtȯr-
plural offertories
1
often capitalized
a
: the offering of the sacramental bread and wine to God before they are consecrated
b
: a verse from a psalm said or sung at the beginning of the offertory
2
a
: the collection and presentation of the offerings of the congregation in church
b
: the music played or sung during an offertory
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