1. the part of a Christian worship service when offerings of bread and wine or money are collected or presented
Usage: religious
2. the music sung or played during the offering portion of a religious service
Usage: religious; musical
3. the money or gifts collected during a religious service
Usage: religious

Examples

• The congregation stood during the offertory as the ushers passed the collection plates.
• The choir sang a beautiful offertory while donations were being collected.
• The offertory raised enough money to fund the church’s food pantry for a month.
• During the offertory, bread and wine are brought to the altar.
• The organist played a gentle offertory hymn as people placed their gifts in the basket.
• The offertory is an important part of the Sunday worship service.
• She volunteered to help count the offertory after each service.