Definition of "Easter"

(Christianity)

1. A Christian feast commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated on the first Sunday (and Monday) following the full moon that occurs on or next after the vernal equinox, ranging in most of Western Christianity (such as Protestantism and Roman Catholicism) from March 22 to April 25, and in Eastern Christianity (such as the Coptic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church) from April 4 to May 8.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • During the Easter season, the Russians are planning “a great battle in Donbas,” the Russian-occupied region in Ukraine’s far east. “This is not Christian behavior at all, as I understand it. On Easter they will kill, and they will be killed.”

     2022 April 15, Anne Applebaum, Jeffrey Goldberg, quoting Volodymyr Zelensky, “LIBERATION WITHOUT VICTORY”, in The Atlantic‎, archived from the original on 15 April 2022

2. Eastertide (“the period from Easter to Whitsun”).  examples

3. (specifically, Roman Catholicism, dated, now chiefly figuratively) Usually preceded by an inflection of make: the act of receiving the Eucharist during Easter.  examples

(UK, Ireland, law, education) Ellipsis of Easter term.  examples

(paganism) A festival held in honour of the goddess Eostre or Ostara, celebrated at the vernal equinox or within the month of April; Eostre, Ostara.  examples

(obsolete) The Jewish Passover.  quotations

A surname.  examples

(intransitive) To celebrate Easter.  examples

(intransitive) To spend the Easter season in some place.  examples