Corpus Christi

noun

Cor·​pus Chris·​ti ˈkȯr-pəs-ˈkri-stē How to pronounce Corpus Christi (audio)
: the Thursday after Trinity observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the Eucharist

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin Corpus Christī, short for festum Corporis Christī "feast of the Body of Christ"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Corpus Christi was in the 14th century

Rhymes for Corpus Christi

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Cite this Entry

“Corpus Christi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Corpus%20Christi. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Corpus Christi

noun
Cor·​pus Chris·​ti ˌkȯr-pəs-ˈkris-tē How to pronounce Corpus Christi (audio)
: the Thursday after Trinity Sunday observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the Eucharist
Etymology

Middle English Corpus Christi "church festival of Corpus Christi," from Latin Corpus Christi, literally, "body of Christ"

Geographical Definition

Corpus Christi

geographical name

Cor·​pus Chris·​ti ˌkȯr-pəs-ˈkri-stē How to pronounce Corpus Christi (audio)
city and port on Corpus Christi Bay (an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico) at the mouth of the Nueces River in southern Texas population 305,215

More from Merriam-Webster on Corpus Christi

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Corpus Christi

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