Purim

noun

Pu·​rim ˈpu̇r-im 

ˈpyu̇r-,

-ˌēm;

pu̇-ˈrim,

pyu̇-  -ˈrēm 

: a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 14th of Adar in commemoration of the deliverance of the Jews from the massacre plotted by Haman

Examples of Purim in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some say that the cookies, with their hidden filling, evoke Queen Esther hiding her Jewish roots in the Purim story. —Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025

Challenges of chaplaincy Speaking to the Miami Herald on his way home from delivering Purim services to soldiers at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Estrin said that Jewish chaplains are well equipped to counsel people of all faiths. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

The developments came as Jews began celebrating the Purim holiday, and Muslims continued marking the holy month of Ramadan. —arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2025

The Philly Zoo hosts a celebration for the Jewish holiday Purim. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025

This Purim, their beloved hamentashen will be available with various fillings including apricot, raspberry, chocolate, prune, and poppy. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Shabbat Across America celebration Community members can celebrate Shabbat Across America and Purim with Congregation B’nai Tikvah at 6:30 p.m. March 7 on the campus of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 925 Balour Drive. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew pūrīm, literally, lots; from the casting of lots by Haman (Esther 9:24–26)

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Purim

• durum

Kids Definition

Purim

noun

Pu·​rim ˈpu̇r-(ˌ)im  pu̇r-ˈim 

: a Jewish holiday observed in February or March that celebrates the rescue of the Jews from a plot to massacre them

Etymology

from Hebrew pūrīm (plural), literally, "lots cast in determining something by chance"; so called because Haman in the biblical story in Esther 9:24–26 cast lots to decide a day on which he planned to destroy the Jews