Se·mit·ic
sə-ˈmi-tik 
also
-ˈme-
: any or all of the Semitic languages
Examples of Semitic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brienne Walsh, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Its intricate script and right-to-left writing system can be difficult for learners unfamiliar with Semitic languages.
—Geoffrey Alphonso, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Most would have begun the list with the black, white, and yellow races, and many would have included a Semitic race (including Jews and Arabs), an American Indian race, and more.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
It is currently housed in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, where, from 1922 to 1931, Dr. Barton taught Semitic languages and the history of religion.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024
Member of Parliament Yassine Mami has pointed out that Hannibal, who was born in 247 BC in Carthage — now known as Tunis, the Tunisian capital — was of West Asian Semitic origin.
—Variety, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2023
Member of Parliament Yassine Mami has pointed out that Hannibal, who was born in 247 BC in Carthage – now known as Tunis, the Tunisian capital – was of West Asian Semitic origin.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 11 Dec. 2023
Haddi has the gift of seeing the nature of the subjects in front of his lens, telling their story with both irony and wisdom, honouring the meaning of his name: 'he who sees,' in the Semitic language.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023
Unlike western Eurasia, with its plethora of early methods for recording language, including Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Hittite, Minoan, and the Semitic alphabet, China developed just one writing system.
—Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Among them, original gas lighting fixtures from when the sanctuary was completed in 1859, pews carved with ancient Semitic languages including Cursive Hebrew and Ethiopian Amharic Ge'ez, and floorboards drilled with holes that form a triangular pattern.
—Brienne Walsh, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Its intricate script and right-to-left writing system can be difficult for learners unfamiliar with Semitic languages.
—Geoffrey Alphonso, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Most would have begun the list with the black, white, and yellow races, and many would have included a Semitic race (including Jews and Arabs), an American Indian race, and more.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015
It is currently housed in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, where, from 1922 to 1931, Dr. Barton taught Semitic languages and the history of religion.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024
Member of Parliament Yassine Mami has pointed out that Hannibal, who was born in 247 BC in Carthage — now known as Tunis, the Tunisian capital — was of West Asian Semitic origin.
—Variety, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2023
Member of Parliament Yassine Mami has pointed out that Hannibal, who was born in 247 BC in Carthage – now known as Tunis, the Tunisian capital – was of West Asian Semitic origin.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 11 Dec. 2023
Haddi has the gift of seeing the nature of the subjects in front of his lens, telling their story with both irony and wisdom, honouring the meaning of his name: 'he who sees,' in the Semitic language.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023
Unlike western Eurasia, with its plethora of early methods for recording language, including Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Hittite, Minoan, and the Semitic alphabet, China developed just one writing system.
—Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Semitic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Semitic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share