luminaria

[loo-muh-nair-ee-uh; Spanish loo-mee-nah-ryah] /ˌlu məˈnɛər i ə; Spanish ˌlu miˈnɑ ryɑ/
noun, plural luminarias
[loo-muh-nair-ee-uh z; Spanish loo-mee-nah-ryahs] /ˌlu məˈnɛər i əz; Spanish ˌlu miˈnɑ ryɑs/ (Show IPA)
1.
(especially in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.) a Christmas lantern consisting of a lighted candle set in sand inside a paper bag.
Origin
1945-50; < Mexican Spanish, Spanish: any lamp or lantern displayed during a festival < Medieval Latin, Late Latin lūmināria, orig. neuter plural of lūmināris lamp; see lumen, -ar1
Examples from the web for luminaria
  • Several library staff volunteered during the grand opening weekend, which included a luminaria procession and mariachi music.
  • Also a luminaria ceremony was held in honor of survivors and those who died from the disease.