Judaism
noun
Ju·da·ism
ˈjü-dē-ˌi-zəm 
ˈjü-də-
ˈjü-(ˌ)dā-
ˈjü-də-
ˈjü-(ˌ)dā-
British also ˈjü-ˌdi-zəm
1
: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions
2
: the cultural, social, and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews
3
: conformity to Jewish rites, ceremonies, and practices
4
: the whole body of Jews : the Jewish people
Examples of Judaism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Taylor converted to Judaism, and the two got married at Temple Beth Shalom in Las Vegas in 1959.
—
Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
According to local legend, many of the Jews who used to live in the mountains of Morocco descended from Amazigh tribes that converted to Judaism as far back as 2,500 years ago, when Phoenician conquerors made their way along the North African coast, possibly with some Israelites in their boats.
—Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023
At the synagogue, men with graying beards and black suits — all fellow members of the Chabad movement, an ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism — slapped Mr. Ben-Ari on the back.
—Damien Cave Amit Elkayam, New York Times, 23 May 2024
There's a lot of hostility toward Judaism, and there's a wave of anti-Semitism that makes people look at the situation biasedly or have bad intentions.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
Rabbinic Judaism does not regard the fetus as a full human being.
—Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
Popular on Variety The two join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel’s centrality in American Judaism and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 May 2024
Another memorable plot arc, in a Season 8 episode that first aired in 1997, was perhaps more instructive: The fictional Jerry’s dentist has converted to Judaism — in large part, Jerry suspects, to get away with telling transparently hacky jokes about Jews.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 4 May 2024
Though there are several artworks in the exhibition that reference Christianity and Judaism, the gallery wasn’t able to include any of Farrow’s Islamic sculptures.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024
According to local legend, many of the Jews who used to live in the mountains of Morocco descended from Amazigh tribes that converted to Judaism as far back as 2,500 years ago, when Phoenician conquerors made their way along the North African coast, possibly with some Israelites in their boats.
—Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023
At the synagogue, men with graying beards and black suits — all fellow members of the Chabad movement, an ultra-Orthodox sect of Judaism — slapped Mr. Ben-Ari on the back.
—Damien Cave Amit Elkayam, New York Times, 23 May 2024
There's a lot of hostility toward Judaism, and there's a wave of anti-Semitism that makes people look at the situation biasedly or have bad intentions.
—Vera Bergengruen/buenos Aires, TIME, 23 May 2024
Rabbinic Judaism does not regard the fetus as a full human being.
—Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2024
Popular on Variety The two join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel’s centrality in American Judaism and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 May 2024
Another memorable plot arc, in a Season 8 episode that first aired in 1997, was perhaps more instructive: The fictional Jerry’s dentist has converted to Judaism — in large part, Jerry suspects, to get away with telling transparently hacky jokes about Jews.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 4 May 2024
Though there are several artworks in the exhibition that reference Christianity and Judaism, the gallery wasn’t able to include any of Farrow’s Islamic sculptures.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Judaism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near Judaism
Cite this Entry
“Judaism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Judaism. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Judaism
noun
Ju·da·ism
ˈjüd-ə-ˌiz-əm
ˈjüd-ē-
ˈjüd-ē-
1
: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews that stresses belief in one God and faithfulness to the laws of the Torah
2
: the beliefs and practices of the Jews
Judaic
adjective
jü-ˈdā-ik
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