Shiva

1 of 2

noun (1)

Shi·​va ˈshi-və How to pronounce Shiva (audio) ˈshē- How to pronounce Shiva (audio)
variants or less commonly
: 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 How to pronounce shiva (audio)
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 weekGary 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
On the coffee table, a Shiva vase by Ettore Sottsass (BD Barcelona). Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024 The Bodies house was this huge spooky mansion, and the Shiva Baby house had just one bathroom, but there was this instant camaraderie and connection. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
Later that week, at my mother’s shiva, her friends laughed and traded stories about her determination, resilience, and gift for reinvention. Emily Listfield, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Apr. 2023 However, on the unexpected death of Tamás’s wife (Ágnes Máhr), Iván, who had become religious in Israel in the meantime, decides to move into Tamás’s apartment and, in accordance with Jewish traditions, spend a week of mourning and shiva. Marina Lazarevska, Variety, 16 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for Shiva 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Shiva was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near Shiva

Cite this Entry

“Shiva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shiva. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on Shiva

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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