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

The Oscar-winning filmmaker didn’t speak Hebrew, but sensed this was something big. —Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

At the same time, however, translation—first from provincial languages like Hebrew and Greek into the universal tongue of Latin—helped the Bible spread beyond its local origins. —Max Norman, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Adler first studied Hebrew and Judaism at a school established by the Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia. —arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024

After the wedding, the newlyweds enjoyed babka from Long Island before going out to dinner with friends and taking the kids to Hebrew school. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 5 Dec. 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