Yom Kippur

noun

Yom Kip·​pur ˌyōm-ki-ˈpu̇r How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
ˌyȯm-,
ˌyäm- How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
-ˈki-pər,
-(ˌ)pu̇r
: a Jewish holiday observed with fasting and prayer on the 10th day of Tishri in accordance with the rites described in Leviticus 16

called also Day of Atonement

Examples of Yom Kippur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And in 1973, Israel repulsed and defeated Egypt and Syria after their surprise Yom Kippur offensive. Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 12 Sep. 2024 Most Americans are likely familiar with the fall-season Yom Kippur fast, part of the High Holy Days that commence, 10 days earlier, with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Avi Shafran, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2024 Prime Minister Golda Meir resigned months after the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish year, killing over 2,600 Israeli soldiers. Eric Cortellessa/jerusalem, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024 It is assumed that there will be many more resignations when the war is finally over and there is a full government investigation, as there was after the Yom Kippur War. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Yom Kippur 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Yom Kippur.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew yōm kippūr, literally, day of atonement

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Yom Kippur was in 1735

Dictionary Entries Near Yom Kippur

Cite this Entry

“Yom Kippur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Yom%20Kippur. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Yom Kippur

noun
Yom Kip·​pur ˌyōm-ki-ˈpu̇r How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio) ˌyȯm- How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
ˌyäm-,
-ˈkip-ər
: a Jewish holiday observed in September or October with fasting and prayer as ways of making up for sins

More from Merriam-Webster on Yom Kippur

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