Shiva

1 of 2

noun (1)

Shi·​va ˈshi-və  ˈshē- 

variants or less commonly Siva

ˈsi-və  ˈshi- 

ˈsē-,

ˈshē- 

: the god of destruction and regeneration in the Hindu sacred triad compare brahma entry 1, vishnu

shiva

2 of 2

noun (2)

shi·​va ˈshi-və 

variants or less commonly shivah or Shiva or Shivah

: a traditional seven-day period of mourning the death of a family member that is observed in Jewish homes

Details about the funeral and shiva have not yet been finalized.

—Alyssa Fisher

The observance of Shiva is traced to the dawn of Jewish history. The Torah relates that Joseph mourned the death of Jacob his father for seven days.

—Zalman Goldstein

—often used in the phrase sit shiva

We're going to say kaddish, sit shiva and eat poundcake for a week

—Gary David Goldberg

She's sitting shivah for her father. She doesn't want to be disturbed.

—Etgar Keret

… the comedy centers on a dysfunctional family that is forced to reunite when their father requests they sit Shivah for seven days following his death.

—Dave Trumbore

Examples of Shiva in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Named after the serpent king from Hindu mythology who coils around Lord Shiva’s neck, Vasuki indicus carries a name as rooted in India as the rocks it was pulled from. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

The American Horror Story star was previously married to actress Shiva Rose. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

Named after the serpent king from Hindu mythology who coils around Lord Shiva’s neck, Vasuki indicus carries a name as rooted in India as the rocks it was pulled from. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

The American Horror Story star was previously married to actress Shiva Rose. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Sanskrit Śiva

Noun (2)

Hebrew shibhʽāh seven (days)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Shiva

• diva
• iva
• viva
• gingiva
• oliva
• yeshiva

Kids Definition

shiva

noun

shi·​va

variants also shivah

ˈshiv-ə

: a traditional seven-day period of mourning the death of a family member that is observed in Jewish homes

—often used in the phrase sit shiva

they are sitting shiva for their father