kibbutz

noun

kib·​butz ki-ˈbu̇ts  -ˈbüts 

plural kibbutzim ki-ˌbu̇t-ˈsēm 

-ˌbüt-

: a communal farm or settlement in Israel

Did you know?

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

Militants broke through the border fence of the kibbutz and ransacked the neighborhood. —Associated Press, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025

Eight other members of the kibbutz and six foreign nationals who worked there were killed during Hamas’ attack. —Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025

On Oct 7, 2023 − a Saturday − Steinbrecher was in her apartment on the kibbutz when Hamas gunmen attacked it. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025

Oded was abducted during the Oct. 7 attack on his kibbutz, where he was injured while clinging to the door of a safe room as militants forced their way inside. —Sean Nevin, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Modern Hebrew qibbūṣ

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kibbutz

• inputs
• outputs
• rajputs
• throughputs
• foots
• puts

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