Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjü-dē-ˌi-zəm  ˈjü-də-  ˈjü-(ˌ)dā- 

 British also  ˈjü-ˌdi-zəm

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions

2

: the cultural, social, and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews

3

: conformity to Jewish rites, ceremonies, and practices

4

: the whole body of Jews : the Jewish people

Examples of Judaism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The actor slept on Saget's couch for a time, and said that as a Catholic kid from Michigan, living with Saget and his family gave him his first introduction to Judaism. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Hanukkah is not one of the major holidays within Judaism, and religious holiday restrictions do not apply, according to The Jewish Chronicle. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Other religions espouse similar concepts, such as karma in Hinduism, tzedakah in Judaism, or sadaqah in Islam. —Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Nor can he be reduced to his addiction, his war trauma, his love for his wife, his devotion to Judaism, or his uncertainty—as other Jews flock to Israel—about where that devotion begins and ends. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Judaism

• anti-Judaism
• Conservative Judaism
• Orthodox Judaism
• Reform Judaism

Kids Definition

Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjüd-ə-ˌiz-əm  ˈjüd-ē- 

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews that stresses belief in one God and faithfulness to the laws of the Torah

2

: the beliefs and practices of the Jews

Judaic

jü-ˈdā-ik

adjective