Hebrew

noun

He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü 

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

Shooting is set for Spring 2025 and will be filmed in Hebrew, Arabic and English. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2024

They’ve never been exposed to them, not as adults and not back in Hebrew school. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024

It will be shot in Hebrew, Arabic and English with a premiere on Keshet 12 tentatively set for October 2025, to mark the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024

In 2024, to call something a pogrom — the word does not change in Dutch, Hebrew or English from the original Russian — is to say that a period of history that was believed over is not. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing Hebrew

• Late Hebrew
• Modern Hebrew
• Rabbinic Hebrew

Kids Definition

Hebrew

noun

He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü 

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