Shiva

1 of 2

noun (1)

Shi·​va ˈshi-və  ˈshē- 

variants or less commonly Siva

ˈsi-və  ˈshi- 

ˈsē-,

ˈshē- 

: the god of destruction and regeneration in the Hindu sacred triad compare brahma entry 1, vishnu

shiva

2 of 2

noun (2)

shi·​va ˈshi-və 

variants or less commonly shivah or Shiva or Shivah

: a traditional seven-day period of mourning the death of a family member that is observed in Jewish homes

Details about the funeral and shiva have not yet been finalized.

—Alyssa Fisher

The observance of Shiva is traced to the dawn of Jewish history. The Torah relates that Joseph mourned the death of Jacob his father for seven days.

—Zalman Goldstein

—often used in the phrase sit shiva

We're going to say kaddish, sit shiva and eat poundcake for a week

—Gary David Goldberg

She's sitting shivah for her father. She doesn't want to be disturbed.

—Etgar Keret

… the comedy centers on a dysfunctional family that is forced to reunite when their father requests they sit Shivah for seven days following his death.

—Dave Trumbore

Examples of Shiva in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But her first big break came after a fantastic performance in the debut film of the woman who directed Bottoms, Emma Seligman, who gave the world a quick-witted and naturalistic depiction of Jewish family gatherings known as Shiva Baby. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

On the coffee table, a Shiva vase by Ettore Sottsass (BD Barcelona). —Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Later that week, at my mother’s shiva, her friends laughed and traded stories about her determination, resilience, and gift for reinvention. —Emily Listfield, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Apr. 2023

However, on the unexpected death of Tamás’s wife (Ágnes Máhr), Iván, who had become religious in Israel in the meantime, decides to move into Tamás’s apartment and, in accordance with Jewish traditions, spend a week of mourning and shiva. —Marina Lazarevska, Variety, 16 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Sanskrit Śiva

Noun (2)

Hebrew shibhʽāh seven (days)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

shiva

noun

shi·​va

variants also shivah

ˈshiv-ə

: a traditional seven-day period of mourning the death of a family member that is observed in Jewish homes

—often used in the phrase sit shiva

they are sitting shiva for their father