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

The International Refugee Assistance Project filed the lawsuit on behalf of Church World Service, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Soldiers can be heard nearby shouting orders in Hebrew. —Colin Jones, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025

In fact, Lev Fogelson attended Hebrew school at Palm Beach Synagogue for many years, citing his time there as an instrumental part of his Jewish education. —Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025

Each side bears a Hebrew letter: Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin (or Pei in Israel) – and has a corresponding meaning in Yiddish. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2025

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