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 After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat captured Israelis’ imaginations with a surprise visit to Jerusalem. Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 When some Israeli commentators blamed her for Israel’s military missteps before the Yom Kippur War, Mr. Zamir often asserted that the guilt rested with Dayan and others. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2024 In the film, Mirren plays the first female prime minister of Israel, Golda Meir, and follows her leadership during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Jan. 2024 In the Yom Kippur War, for comparison, that number stood at 7,200. Adi Rubinstein, Sun Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2024 The tilt to Pakistan, the opening to China, the Yom Kippur War and shuttle diplomacy, toppling Allende, Vietnam peace talks: All bore Kissinger’s fingerprints. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 In the Middle East, the United States has been steadfast in its commitment to Israel’s security since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2024 Mirren, 78, is virtually the same age as the 75-year-old Meir was during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the period covered by the film. Valli Herman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2024 Many observers have reasonably presumed that his political career will soon reach its end, as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir’s did after the Yom Kippur War. Aaron David Miller, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Yom Kippur.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on Yom Kippur

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