kosher

adjective ko·sher \ ˈkō-shər \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

1 a : sanctioned by Jewish law; especially : ritually fit for use

kosher meat

b : selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law

a kosher restaurant

2 : being proper, acceptable, or satisfactory

is the deal kosher?

See kosher defined for English-language learners

See kosher defined for kids

Examples of kosher in a Sentence

Something about this deal is just not kosher.

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

Toss with 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup finely grated pecorino Romano, 2 teaspoons Tajín Clásico seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "DIY projects: elegant table linens, instant art, winning storage solutions and more | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Apr. 2018
Transfer tomato pulp to a small bowl and season lightly with kosher salt.

— ignacio mattos, Bon Appetit, "Sea Bream Crudo with Lemon and Olives," 23 Apr. 2018
Perhaps, just perhaps this teaches that to be kosher one's behavior must not only be correct, but inwardly pure.

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "The rationale for the dietary laws," 9 Apr. 2018
Toss lettuce and vinegar in a large bowl; season with kosher salt.

— andy baraghani, Bon Appetit, "Little Gem Wedge Salad with Tahini Ranch," 26 Mar. 2018
Slowly add confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt, beating until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.

— marian cooper cairns, Country Living, "French Toast Crunch Snickerdoodle Sandwiches," 4 Jan. 2018
Stir in Gala apple (cut into 1/2-inch pieces) and cabbage, balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

— the good housekeeping test kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Pork Chops with Balsamic-Braised Cabbage and Apples," 3 Jan. 2018
This year, however, there's a new spin on the hamantaschen tradition, thanks to Forrest, an employee of the kosher fish department at the Jewel at Evanston Center on Howard Street, aka Kosher Jewel.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Food & Drink / Religion / Whoa This year, celebrate Purim with Salmontaschen," 1 Mar. 2018
Rubashkin, 57, ran what was America’s largest kosher meat-processing company: Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "Why Trump Commuted the Sentence of Sholom Rubashkin, Kosher Meatpacking Executive," 21 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kosher.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of kosher

Yiddish, from Hebrew kāshēr fit, proper

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1851

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Jewish Religion Terms

Talmud, Zion, challah, dybbuk, tabernacle, tetragrammaton, yarmulke

kosher

verb

koshered; koshering play \-sh(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

: to make kosher

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

One contains clothes, the others kosher steaks and cheese.

— amie ferris-rotman, WSJ, "A Rabbi Strives to Make His Corner of Siberia Kosher Again," 26 Feb. 2017

Origin and Etymology of kosher

see ¹kosher

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Jewish Religion Terms

Talmud, Zion, challah, dybbuk, kosher, tabernacle, tetragrammaton, yarmulke

kosher

noun

: the observance of kosher practices

keep kosher

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

To brine a pound of shrimp, mix 1 gallon water with ½ cup of kosher salt.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "National Shrimp Day: How to buy, store and cook the seafood favorite," 9 May 2018
Chile Salt: Combine equal parts kosher salt and New Mexico chile powder.

— kevin hopper, idahostatesman, "Margaritaville can be found in your own backyard | Idaho Statesman," 3 May 2018
Volunteer Orientation Final orientation for first time volunteers at a new kosher food pantry.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Davie and Cooper City area events, May 2-12," 2 May 2018
Sprinkle the kosher salt over the vegetables and saute quickly.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Red wine-braised brisket is ideal for Passover and beyond," 3 Apr. 2018
Manischewitz, which bills itself as the largest marketer of kosher foods in North America, markets its s’mores-making kit.

— charles passy, WSJ, "Matzo S’mores: Brilliant? Or Brooklyn?," 27 Mar. 2018
Because there is no longer a shochet, a kosher butcher, in Carpentras, Ms. Levy must order the meat from Marseille, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) away.

— joan nathan, New York Times, "A Seder Feast in Provence, With Roots in Ancient Rome," 20 Mar. 2018
Bean Seasoning: • Makes about 2 cups • 1 cup chile powder • 1/2 cup kosher salt • 1/4 cup coarse black pepper • 2 tablespoons onion powder • 2 tablespoons garlic powder • 1 teaspoon ground cumin Combine all of the ingredients and mix well.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "Guess what the king of Texas BBQ won’t eat? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 12 Apr. 2018
Children's activities and a fair to showcase multiple Jewish organizations in Palm Beach County will be featured along with kosher food for purchase.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Concerts, festival highlight Israel at 70 events in Palm Beach County," 5 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of kosher

see ¹kosher

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1886

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Jewish Religion Terms

Talmud, Zion, challah, dybbuk, kosher, tabernacle, tetragrammaton, yarmulke

KOSHER Defined for English Language Learners

kosher

adjective

: accepted by Jewish law as fit for eating or drinking
: selling or serving kosher food
: proper or acceptable

KOSHER Defined for Kids

kosher

adjective ko·sher \ ˈkō-shər \

1 : accepted by Jewish law as fit for use

kosher food

2 : selling or serving food that is accepted as fit for use according to Jewish law a kosher restaurant

Learn More about kosher

Spanish Central: Translation of kosher Nglish: Translation of kosher for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kosher

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kosher

Examples of kosher in a Sentence

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

Origin and Etymology of kosher

Other Jewish Religion Terms

kosher

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

Origin and Etymology of kosher

Other Jewish Religion Terms

kosher

Recent Examples of kosher from the Web

Origin and Etymology of kosher

Other Jewish Religion Terms

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KOSHER Defined for English Language Learners

kosher

KOSHER Defined for Kids

kosher

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