kibbutz

noun

kib·​butz ki-ˈbu̇ts  -ˈbüts 

plural kibbutzim ki-ˌbu̇t-ˈsēm 

-ˌbüt-

: a communal farm or settlement in Israel

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A kibbutz is a communal settlement in Israel in which all wealth is held in common and profits are reinvested in the settlement. The first kibbutz was founded in 1909; currently there are about 270, with a total population exceeding 120,000. Adults live in private quarters, while children are generally housed and cared for as a group. Meals are prepared and eaten communally. Members have regular meetings to discuss business and to take votes on matters requiring decisions. Jobs may be assigned by rotation, by choice, or by skill.

Examples of kibbutz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All women, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza; Emily Damari, 28, a British Israeli citizen also taken from Kfar Aza and a key figure in the kibbutz’s youth community; and Romi Gonen, 24, taken from the Nova Music Festival. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2025

And for nine horrific hours was able to survive in the safe room of their home in our kibbutz with her two little daughters, while there was murder all around and around our community. —ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025

Shiri's parents, who also lived on the kibbutz, were later found dead. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Kfir Bibas, who was taken hostage at 9 months old from Nir-Oz kibbutz. —Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Modern Hebrew qibbūṣ

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kibbutz

noun

kib·​butz kib-ˈu̇ts  -ˈüts 

plural kibbutzim -ˌu̇t-ˈsēm 

-ˌüt-

: a farming settlement in Israel that is owned and shared equally by the people who live there and run it