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
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There were, of course, non-Christian sources of human dignity that predated Christianity—Judaism is the most obvious and shining example; Stoicism another—but Christianity added immeasurably to them. — Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 Moreover, many rightfully argue that Zionism is in fact fueling legitimate antisemitism by deliberately conflating Judaism with a supremacist ideology and regime that is waging terror, death and destruction. — Nicole Erin Morse, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2026 It is considered holy by Judaism, Islam and Christianity and home to key religious sites like the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Church of the Holy Sepulchre. — Dan Mangan,emma Graham,hugh Leask,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 June 2026 The Muslim religion, like Christianity and Judaism, has strict teachings against homosexuality. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for Judaism

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Judaism was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Judaism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Judaism. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
jü-ˈdā-ik
adjective

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