Hebrew

noun

He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü 

1

a

: the Semitic language of the ancient Hebrews

b

: any of various later forms of this language

2

: a member of or descendant from one of a group of northern Semitic peoples including the Israelites

especially : israelite

Hebrew adjective

Examples of Hebrew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anderson focuses on the religion and literature of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, with special interest in the reception of the Bible in Judaism and Christianity. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

But examples of similar texts exist in Latin, Hebrew, Coptic, Syriac, Armenian and Georgian. —Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

In his video statement released in both Hebrew and English on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, Netanyahu referred to Sinwar and Iran’s influence. —Conrad Hoyt, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Oct. 2024

Since it is based on the Hebrew calendar, Rosh Hashanah begins on the first day of the seventh month, so this year’s celebration will start at sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, and continue through sundown on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Ebreu, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin Hebraeus, from Latin, adjective, from Greek Hebraios, from Aramaic ʽEbrai

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Hebrew

• Late Hebrew
• Modern Hebrew
• Rabbinic Hebrew

Kids Definition

Hebrew

noun

He·​brew ˈhē-(ˌ)brü 

1

: a member of one of a group of northern Semitic peoples including the Israelites

especially : israelite

2

: the Semitic language of the Hebrews

Hebraic

hi-ˈbrā-ik

adjective

Hebrew adjective