Hebrew

noun

He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü How to pronounce Hebrew (audio)
1
a
: the Semitic language of the ancient Hebrews
b
: any of various later forms of this language
2
: a member of or descendant from one of a group of northern Semitic peoples including the Israelites
especially : israelite
Hebrew adjective

Examples of Hebrew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many speak fluent Hebrew and also identify as Palestinian. Hadas Gold, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023 Glen Burnie 22, Annapolis 20: Danny Outen collected a receiving touchdown for the Gophers (1-1) while Hebrew Norfleet rushed in two touchdowns. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2023 But the exact point at which Hebrew and Arabic diverged from other Afroasiatic languages is heavily disputed. Lucy Tu, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2023 Lincolnwood trustees have offered very preliminary support for allowing Hebrew Theological College to build a women’s college and dormitory on the former Whistler’s Restaurant property. Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2023 Stacy’s rabbi and favorite Hebrew school instructor, Rabbi Rebecca (a scene-stealing Sarah Sherman of SNL), is goofy and eccentric, a loose-limbed cut-up who playfully prods her students and speaks with a sense of musicality. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2023 In English and some Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023 The nomination form also notes that the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland purchased the Oakwood Clubhouse around 2015 and it has since been converted into a school. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 21 Aug. 2023 Named for the New Jersey Federation of Young Women’s Hebrew Associations, the camp, which opened in 1920, marked its 100th summer in 2001. Rachel Wisniewski, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Hebrew.' 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

Middle English Ebreu, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin Hebraeus, from Latin, adjective, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic ʽEbrai

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hebrew was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near Hebrew

Cite this Entry

“Hebrew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hebrew. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

Hebrew

noun
He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü How to pronounce Hebrew (audio)
1
: a member of one of a group of northern Semitic peoples including the Israelites
especially : israelite
2
: the Semitic language of the Hebrews
Hebraic
hi-ˈbrā-ik
adjective
Hebrew adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Hebrew

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!