Nahum

noun

Na·hum ˈnā-əm

-həm

1

: a Hebrew prophet of the seventh century b.c.

2

: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see Bible Table

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew Naḥūm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of Nahum was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nahum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nahum. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Nahum

noun

Na·hum ˈnā-(h)əm

: a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see bible

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

hobgoblin

Listen to the pronunciation of hobgoblin

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)