rabbi

noun

rab·​bi ˈra-ˌbī 

1

: master, teacher

—used by Jews as a term of address

2

: a Jew qualified to expound and apply the halacha and other Jewish law

3

: a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious leadership

specifically : the official leader of a Jewish congregation

Examples of rabbi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rupert needed a Hollywood rabbi, someone who could teach him the baroque ways in which the town operated. —Gabriel Sherman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

The rabbi, the only Jewish clergy ever tapped for the honor, also blessed the rodeo in 2015. —Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026

Rockford, who is preparing to become a rabbi in May, understands the challenges but remains optimistic. —Luis Andres Henao, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

The victim, who community leaders identified as a rabbi, was treated for minor injuries, while officers took the suspect into custody. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek rhabbi, from Hebrew rabbī my master, from rabh master + -ī my

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rabbi

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

rabbi

noun

rab·​bi ˈrab-ˌī 

1

: master entry 1 sense 1a, teacher

—used as a term of address for Jewish religious leaders

2

: a professionally trained leader of a Jewish congregation

rabbinic

rə-ˈbin-ik, 

ra-

adjective

or rabbinical

-i-kəl

Etymology

Old English rabbi "term of address used for Jewish religious leaders," from Latin rabbi (same meaning), from Greek rhabbi (same meaning), from Hebrew rabbī "my master," from rabh "master" and the suffix -ī "my"