Jew

noun

ˈjü 

1

: a person belonging to a continuation through descent or conversion of the ancient Jewish people

2

: one whose religion is Judaism

3

a

: a member of the tribe of Judah

b

: israelite

4

: a member of a nation existing in Palestine from the sixth century b.c. to the first century a.d.

Examples of Jew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Northwestern should be making headlines for its groundbreaking academic accomplishments — not for its failure to confront Jew hatred head-on. —Yinam Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

The original Mark the Tailor was established in 1960 by David Mark, a Romanian Jew who survived the Holocaust and later emigrated to Boston to find work as a tailor. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2025

The senator’s father came from Germany in 1935, a Jew fleeing persecution. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2025

The success of this side venture ultimately propelled him to become the manager of an exciting new band — The Beatles — and the Jew most associated with Beatlemania. —Stephen Silver, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ju, jeu, from Latin Judaeus, from Greek Ioudaios, from Hebrew Yĕhūdhī, from Yĕhūdhāh Judah, Jewish kingdom

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Jew

• Jew's harp

Kids Definition

Jew

noun

ˈjü 

1

: one of the ancient Hebrews or a descendant of the ancient Hebrews

2

: one whose religion is Judaism

Jewish

ˈjü-ish

adjective