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

The annual Purim parade in the city was canceled this year over security concerns. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Additionally, it can be associated with other cultural and religious events, including the Jewish holiday of Purim. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Mar. 2024

The Purim story is one of stunning reversals, none more consequential than Esther’s transition from passivity to action. —Todd Pittinsky, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2024

Thankfully, this season sees Susie continuing to serve looks that could double as costumes for Desperately Seeking Susan — synagogue Purim spiel. —Sarah Nechamkin, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2024

That evening marked the beginning of Purim, the festive commemoration of the victory of the Jews over Haman the Agagite, a court official in the Persian Empire and the nemesis of the Jews in the Old Testament’s Book of Esther. —Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024

The Major League Eating speed-eating record for Purim holiday cookies is 50 in six minutes, held by Eric Booker. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023

Jews across the empire began serving baklava on the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Purim as well. —John Moretti, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023

The same evening, a video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN showed Israeli soldiers and settlers dancing together in celebration of Purim, a Jewish holiday, in Huwara, when the soldiers were supposed to be there as peacekeepers. —Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN, 15 June 2023

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

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