Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjü-dē-ˌi-zəm  ˈjü-də-  ˈjü-(ˌ)dā- 

 British also  ˈjü-ˌdi-zəm

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions

2

: the cultural, social, and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews

3

: conformity to Jewish rites, ceremonies, and practices

4

: the whole body of Jews : the Jewish people

Examples of Judaism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read the story » What the war in Gaza has revealed about American Judaism: Isaac Chotiner interviews the journalist Peter Beinart about the story of Israel and the moral blind spot of the Jewish diaspora. —Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025

Twenty-eight Christian and Jewish organizations, collectively representing millions of Americans, including the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Mennonites, and Unitarian Universalists, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

While Gomez, 32, doesn't plan on converting to Judaism for her Jewish fiancé, the pair will incorporate a joyous Jewish tradition into their big day. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Despite her previous successes, Silver had trouble getting the film off the ground at first, due in part to its explicit Judaism and the fact of its star, director, and writer all being women. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Judaism

• anti-Judaism
• Conservative Judaism
• Orthodox Judaism
• Reform Judaism

Kids Definition

Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjüd-ə-ˌiz-əm  ˈjüd-ē- 

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews that stresses belief in one God and faithfulness to the laws of the Torah

2

: the beliefs and practices of the Jews

Judaic

jü-ˈdā-ik

adjective