Reuben

1 of 3

noun (1)

Reu·​ben ˈrü-bən 

: a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

Reuben

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural Reubens

: a grilled sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut usually on rye bread compare rachel entry 2

Reuben

3 of 3

noun (3)

: a statuette awarded annually by a professional organization for notable achievement in cartoon artistry

Examples of Reuben in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Josie’s breakfast and lunch menus, says Sieve, will have no shortage of diner classics like country fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, buttermilk pancakes, a Reuben sandwich and Grandma Helen’s Swedish meatballs. — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

On a sweltering afternoon last month, Reuben Neri Cardenas swept the front of his Bakersfield business on an otherwise quiet downtown block. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

When the Reuben Gallery closed, in 1961, many of its male artists found other galleries to represent them, but not Drexler. — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

For a taste of Boise history, now is a good time to visit the dining room for a Reuben sandwich or a slice of prime rib. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Hebrew Rĕ'ūbhēn

Noun (2)

probably from Reuben Kulakofsky †1960 American grocer

Noun (3)

Reuben L. Goldberg †1970 American cartoonist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1956, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Reuben

• rubin
• bilirubin