mezuzah

noun

me·​zu·​zah mə-ˈzu̇-zə How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
variants or mezuza
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot mə-ˈzu̇-ˌzōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: a small parchment scroll inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and the name Shaddai and placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith
also : such a scroll and its case

Examples of mezuzah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Its actors know true tragedy June 19, 2024 For now, some Jews have removed mezuzahs from the doors of their homes and told their kids not to wear yarmulkes in the street. Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2024 In Nevada, there are Jews who have hidden any signs of their faith, painting over the mezuzahs that hang outside their homes. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024 His explanation of a mezuzah to the handyman preparing to install one outside Larry’s front door is a practical blasphemy. Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024 Other combatants travel with mezuzahs, small boxes containing biblical Scriptures meant to be hung outside Jewish residences, to affix to Palestinian homes. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mezuzah 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mezuzah.' 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 mĕzūzāh doorpost

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezuzah was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near mezuzah

Cite this Entry

“Mezuzah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezuzah. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

mezuzah

noun
me·​zu·​zah
variants or mezuza
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot -ˌōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: a small scroll of parchment inscribed with two passages from Deuteronomy and the name Shaddai (the Almighty) and placed in a case that is attached to the doorjamb by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith
also : such a scroll and case

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