- Definition
- Definition
-
Did you know?
- Example Sentences
- Word History
- Related Articles
- Podcast
- Entries Near
-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Did you know?
In 1966, Maulana Karenga, a Black Studies professor at California State University at Long Beach, created a new holiday patterned after traditional African harvest festivals. He called it Kwanzaa, a name he took from a Swahili term that means "first fruits." The holiday, which takes place from December 26th to January 1st, was originally intended as a nonreligious celebration of family and social values. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Examples of Kwanzaa in a Sentence
Word History
Swahili kwanza first
1970, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to Kwanzaa
The Words of the Week - Dec. 29
Dictionary lookups from Kwanzaa, the economy, and environmentalism
The Words of the Week - Dec. 30
Dictionary lookups from aviation, politics, and the holidays
Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week -...
Dictionary lookups from Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and new COVID-19 guidance.
Podcast
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!
Dictionary Entries Near Kwanzaa
Cite this Entry
“Kwanzaa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kwanzaa. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
Kwanzaa
nounSwahili kwanza "first," in the phrase matunda ya kwanza "first fruits"
More from Merriam-Webster on Kwanzaa
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Kwanzaa
Share