Rosh Hashanah

noun

Rosh Ha·​sha·​nah ˌräsh-(h)ə-ˈshä-nə 

ˌrōsh-, 

-ˈshō-

: the Jewish New Year observed on the first day and by Orthodox and Conservative Jews also on the second day of Tishri

Examples of Rosh Hashanah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Antisemitic hate crimes are at an all-time high; friends, acquaintances, and colleagues who used to wish me a Happy Hanukkah, Happy Passover, or Happy Rosh Hashanah have gone silent. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026

The school calendar’s architects also had the benefit of a number of school holidays falling over weekends, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Juneteenth. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Christmas, Saint John’s Day, Ramadan, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah, Pesach, Vesak, Easter, and Chinese New Year. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026

Apples, honey, and more sweets are traditional to eat on the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) to symbolize a sweet and happy year ahead. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Hebrew rōsh hashshānāh, literally, beginning of the year

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Rosh Hashanah

noun

Rosh Ha·​sha·​nah ˌrōsh-hə-ˈshō-nə 

ˌrōsh-ə-, 

ˌräsh-, 

-ˈshän-ə

: the Jewish New Year observed as a religious holiday in September or October

Etymology

from Hebrew rōsh hashshānāh, literally, "beginning of the year"