vespers

noun

ves·​pers ˈve-spərz 

variants or Vespers

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: the sixth of the canonical hours that is said or sung in the late afternoon

2

: a service of evening worship

Examples of vespers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Breaking away from a French tradition of short organ movements to alternate with sections of the Roman Catholic mass and vespers services, Franck created larger-scale works for concert performances. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 9 Jan. 2022

Up his game with stylish coupe glasses, perfect for classic martinis and vespers. —Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 6 Dec. 2022

Moore was known on campus as a powerful speaker, tasked as first captain with addressing the student body during weekday vespers in the cavernous chapel with its stained glass windows depicting historical military scenes. —Sydney Trent, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2022

As well as hymns, a motet and a sermon, the solemn vespers would include a gigantic two-part oratorio composed by the church’s Cantor—the director of music—with a text taken from St. Matthew’s gospel. —Boyd Tonkin, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2022

Both the vespers and funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Cleveland’s website. —Cameron Fields, cleveland, 22 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French vespres, from Medieval Latin vesperae, from Latin, plural of vespera evening; akin to Latin vesper evening star

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vespers

plural noun

ves·​pers ˈves-pərz 

often capitalized

: a late afternoon or evening church service