Reform Judaism

noun

: Judaism marked by a liberal approach in nonobservance of much legal tradition regarded as irrelevant to the present and in shortening and simplification of traditional ritual compare conservative judaism, orthodox judaism

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Reform Judaism was circa 1905

Dictionary Entries Near Reform Judaism

Cite this Entry

“Reform Judaism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Reform%20Judaism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Reform Judaism

noun
: a 19th and 20th century development of Judaism marked by the nonobservance of much legal tradition no longer considered appropriate, by simplified traditional ceremonies, and by stress on the religious rather than the national quality of Judaism

More from Merriam-Webster on Reform Judaism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!