Yom Kippur

noun

Yom Kip·​pur ˌyōm-ki-ˈpu̇r How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
ˌyȯm-,
ˌyäm- How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
-ˈki-pər,
-(ˌ)pu̇r
: a Jewish holiday observed with fasting and prayer on the 10th day of Tishri in accordance with the rites described in Leviticus 16

called also Day of Atonement

Examples of Yom Kippur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Oil prices spiked in 1973 when OPEC announced an embargo on the U.S. and its allies for supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Alex Newman, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2024 The fall of Assad As opposition forces ousted Assad on Dec. 8, Israeli military forces moved into the Syrian side of the demilitarized buffer zone, established after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024 The two sacred holidays mentioned in scripture were celebrated earlier this year: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 The one area where Assad and his dictator father before him, Hafez Assad, maintained peace and security and scrupulously kept international order was along the ceasefire line with Israel following the Yom Kippur War. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Yom Kippur 

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew yōm kippūr, literally, day of atonement

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Yom Kippur was in 1735

Dictionary Entries Near Yom Kippur

Cite this Entry

“Yom Kippur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Yom%20Kippur. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Yom Kippur

noun
Yom Kip·​pur ˌyōm-ki-ˈpu̇r How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio) ˌyȯm- How to pronounce Yom Kippur (audio)
ˌyäm-,
-ˈkip-ər
: a Jewish holiday observed in September or October with fasting and prayer as ways of making up for sins

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