shofar

noun

sho·​far ˈshō-ˌfär  -fər 

plural shofroth shō-ˈfrōt 

-ˈfrōth,

-ˈfrōs

: the horn of a ruminant animal and usually a ram blown as a trumpet by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances and used in modern Judaism especially during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur

Illustration of shofar

Did you know?

One of the shofar's original uses was to proclaim the Jubilee year (a year of emancipation of enslaved Jews and restoration of alienated lands to their former owners). Today, it is mainly used in synagogues during the High Holidays. It is blown daily, except on Shabbat, during the month of Elul (the 12th month of the civil year or the 6th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar), and is sounded a number of times during the Rosh Hashanah services, and again at the end of the last service (known as neilah) on Yom Kippur. The custom is to sound the shofar in several series that alternate shorter notes resembling sobbing and wailing with longer unbroken blasts.

Examples of shofar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The exultant and tragic horn calls in the symphonies and in Das Lied von der Erde—were these not the potent echoes of the shofar summoning the congregation on High Holidays? —David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025

Traditions include blowing the shofar and eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey, which represent hopes for a sweet year ahead. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024

Another important observance is the blowing of the shofar, or a curved ram’s horn. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024

The shofar is sounded ceremonially to conclude Yom Kippur. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew shōphār

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

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