passion play

noun, often capitalized 1st P

Definition of passion play

: a dramatic representation of the scenes connected with the passion and crucifixion of Jesus

Examples of passion play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To watch an Andy Murray rant is to watch a passion play by and for the passive-aggressive. Tom Perrotta, WSJ, "‘The Circuit’ Review: The Tour That Never Ends," 25 Jan. 2019 Luis Amaro, an actor playing Jesus, carries the cross during the San Fernando Cathedral passion play on Good Friday in downtown San Antonio last year. Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "Holy Week observances set for downtown San Antonio," 27 Mar. 2018 The script and lyrics, largely airlifted intact from an 1897 stage drama by the French playwright Charles Peguy, have the declamatory fervor of a passion play, with characters serving as philosophic mouthpieces rather than vessels of human drama. Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Before she was Joan of Arc," 9 May 2018 The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life. Mark Rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018 The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life. Mark Rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018 The 2018 Season of Russ and Joel Nagy's contemporary musical passion play about the last week in Jesus' life. Mark Rapp, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Arts listings for March 23-29: Cleveland rock photographer Anastasia Pantsios at Cleveland Print Room & More," 22 Mar. 2018 My dad would even play Jesus in some of our passion plays in church. Michael Paulson, New York Times, "John Legend and the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Cast on Faith and Musicals," 29 Mar. 2018 Planning ahead, many of the lines are already promoting cruises that will include premier seating at Oberammergau’s passion play in 2020 in Bavaria. Ellen Uzelac, chicagotribune.com, "European river cruises get radical makeover with immersive experiences, exercise," 25 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passion play.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of passion play

1850, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for passion play

passion play

noun

English Language Learners Definition of passion play

: a play about the suffering and death of Jesus Christ