iftar

noun

if·​tar ˈif-ˌtär 

plural iftars

: a meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadan

When we returned to Alexandria, in the late afternoon, the streets were deserted. It was the holy month of Ramadan. Most people had rushed home for the iftar, the breaking of the fast that lasts from sunrise to sunset.

—Amos Elon

Most of the time, iftars are family gatherings, held in homes or mosques during the holy month of Ramadan as people sit down to break the daily fast.

—The Arab American News

Examples of iftar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though usually held at a mosque or home, the university’s iftar (hosted with support from the Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies) allowed for non-Muslims — including FIU students and faculty — to join in on the tradition. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025

As a result, this year’s Ramadan programming is being done with security in mind, especially since many of the iftars will be held privately. —Victoria Ivie, Orange County Register, 3 Mar. 2025

The White House has not officially published any plans for a 2025 iftar. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

With fasting through the days and reflective night prayers, interspersed with delightful iftars, the month goes by quickly. —Austin American-Statesman, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iftar

• drifter
• lifter
• shifter
• sifter
• swifter