yarmulke

noun

yar·​mul·​ke ˈyä-mə-kə  ˈyär-mə(l)-kə 

: a skullcap worn especially by Orthodox and Conservative Jewish males in the synagogue and the home

Examples of yarmulke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now employers must show a substantial hardship when refusing to honor religious beliefs or practices, such as allowing employees to wear a yarmulke, hijab or turban, pray at work or to schedule work around religious observances. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

The video shows a man wearing a Jewish yarmulke lying in a pool of blood just yards away. —Isabella Colletta, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2025

Think scarf head coverings for women in Catholic churches, shoe removal for all to enter a mosque, yarmulkes required for men in synagogues, but also pay attention to the cultural norms away from houses of worship and behave accordingly to avoid being considered a rude American. —Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025

Other traditions were also represented: The opening processional included religious officials wearing a yarmulke (Judaism), a kufi (Islam) and a long black robe (Eastern Orthodox Christianity). —Blake Nelson, Mercury News, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish yarmlke, from Polish jarmułka & Ukrainian yarmulka skullcap, of Turkic origin; akin to Turkish yağmurluk rainwear

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

yarmulke

noun

yar·​mul·​ke ˈyäm-ə-kə  ˈyär-məl- 

: a skullcap worn especially by Jewish males

Etymology

Yiddish yarmlke "yarmulke"