Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Christian festival: Pentecost is a major Christian feast celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ.
   • A Jewish festival: In Judaism, Pentecost (Shavuot) is a holy day celebrated on the 6th of Sivan, marking the giving of the Torah (the Law, including the Ten Commandments) to Moses at Mount Sinai.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The church was beautifully decorated for the Pentecost service.
  • Pentecost is sometimes called the "birthday of the Church."
  • Jewish communities celebrate Pentecost, known as Shavuot, by reading the Book of Ruth.

Advanced Usage

• "Pentecostal" (adj): Relating to or characteristic of Pentecost or Pentecostal Christianity.
  • Pentecostal churches emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• "Whitsun": An older English name for the Christian festival of Pentecost.
  • The village fair is traditionally held at Whitsun.

Variants and Related Words

• Pentecostalism (n): A Christian movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of God through the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
• Pentecostalist (n): An adherent of Pentecostalism.

Synonyms

• Whitsunday (for the Christian festival).
• Shavuot or Feast of Weeks (for the Jewish festival).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Pentecostal fire/tongues": A reference to the biblical description of the Holy Spirit's descent as "tongues of fire," often used to describe intense spiritual inspiration or charismatic speech.
  • The preacher spoke with what seemed like Pentecostal fire.

Noun

1. (Judaism) Jewish holy day celebrated on the sixth of Sivan to celebrate Moses receiving the Ten Commandments
2. seventh Sunday after Easter; commemorates the emanation of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles; a quarter day in Scotland