Purim

noun

Pu·​rim ˈpu̇r-im How to pronounce Purim (audio)
ˈpyu̇r-,
-ˌēm;
pu̇-ˈrim,
pyu̇- How to pronounce Purim (audio) -ˈrēm How to pronounce Purim (audio)
: a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 14th of Adar in commemoration of the deliverance of the Jews from the massacre plotted by Haman

Examples of Purim in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Major League Eating speed-eating record for Purim holiday cookies is 50 in six minutes, held by Eric Booker. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023 Jews across the empire began serving baklava on the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Purim as well. John Moretti, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023 The same evening, a video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN showed Israeli soldiers and settlers dancing together in celebration of Purim, a Jewish holiday, in Huwara, when the soldiers were supposed to be there as peacekeepers. Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN, 15 June 2023 More than 300 people packed into the Pickle Factory – an industrial arthouse venue in North Portland – to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim this weekend. Sswindler, oregonlive, 16 Mar. 2023 To celebrate, Temple Adas Shalom in Havre de Grace held a Purim Carnival on Feb. 25 that was open to the community. Maria Morales, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Purim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew pūrīm, literally, lots; from the casting of lots by Haman (Esther 9:24–26)

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Purim was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Purim

Cite this Entry

“Purim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Purim. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Purim

noun
: a Jewish holiday observed in February or March that celebrates the rescue of the Jews from a plot to massacre them
Etymology

from Hebrew pūrīm (plural), literally, "lots cast in determining something by chance"; so called because Haman in the biblical story in Esther 9:24–26 cast lots to decide a day on which he planned to destroy the Jews

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