Maccabees
plural noun
Mac·ca·bees
ˈma-kə-(ˌ)bēz 
1
: a priestly family leading a Jewish revolt begun in 168 b.c. against Hellenism and Syrian rule and reigning over Palestine from 142 b.c. to 63 b.c.
2
singular in construction
: either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see Bible Table
Examples of Maccabees in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Maccabees will perform their first live show in eight years at London’s All Points East festival in Victoria Park on August 24, 2025.
—
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024
The Jewish festival celebrates the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule.
—Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023
But the more historic recounting of the Hanukkah story is told in the Book of Maccabees.
—TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
After the Maccabees recaptured ancient Jerusalem, the lamp in the temple only had enough oil for one night, yet miraculously burned for eight nights.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
Advertisement Hanukkah, which is Dec. 7 to 15 this year, commemorates the victory of a small Judean army called Maccabees over the ancient Greeks, and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
—Leah Koenig, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Former The Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks’ could nab a solo top 40 appearance with The Gritterman (Blood), the original soundtrack to his debut book of the same name.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2023
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over Syria's brutally repressive Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Dec. 2022
The eight-day Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the historic victory of the Hebrew Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army and the subsequent miracle of an oil lamp that remained lit for eight days in Jerusalem’s holy temple.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Dec. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024
The Jewish festival celebrates the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule.
—Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2023
But the more historic recounting of the Hanukkah story is told in the Book of Maccabees.
—TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
After the Maccabees recaptured ancient Jerusalem, the lamp in the temple only had enough oil for one night, yet miraculously burned for eight nights.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023
Advertisement Hanukkah, which is Dec. 7 to 15 this year, commemorates the victory of a small Judean army called Maccabees over the ancient Greeks, and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
—Leah Koenig, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Former The Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks’ could nab a solo top 40 appearance with The Gritterman (Blood), the original soundtrack to his debut book of the same name.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2023
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over Syria's brutally repressive Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Dec. 2022
The eight-day Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the historic victory of the Hebrew Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army and the subsequent miracle of an oil lamp that remained lit for eight days in Jerusalem’s holy temple.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Dec. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near Maccabees
Cite this Entry
“Maccabees.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maccabees. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Maccabees
noun
Mac·ca·bees
ˈmak-ə-bēz
: either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see bible
Biographical Definition
Maccabees
biographical name
Mac·ca·bees
ˈma-kə-ˌbēz
Judas or Judah died 161 b.c. surname
Maccabaeus
ˌma-kə-ˈbē-əs
Jewish patriot
Jewish patriot
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share