noun
Common
Cohen
KOH-uhn
Cohen (noun) means In Judaism, a member of the hereditary priestly class said to descend directly from Aaron, brother of Moses. Example: “As a cohen, he was called first to read from the Torah.”
noun
1
In Judaism, a member of the hereditary priestly class said to descend directly from Aaron, brother of Moses.
"As a cohen, he was called first to read from the Torah."
"Traditionally, a cohen observes special rules around contact with the dead."
How to use Cohen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Jewish priestly title, and also a very common Jewish surname derived from it.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Cohens, cohanim
Fill the gap
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As a _____, he was called first to read from the Torah.
Etymology
From Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen), meaning "priest." It later became one of the most common Jewish surnames.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Cohen” mean?
The word “Cohen” means in Judaism, a member of the hereditary priestly class said to descend directly from Aaron, brother of Moses. In plain terms, a Jewish priestly title, and also a very common Jewish surname derived from it.
How do you pronounce “Cohen”?
“Cohen” is pronounced KOH-uhn (/ˈkoʊən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Cohen” in a sentence?
Here is “Cohen” used in a sentence: “As a cohen, he was called first to read from the Torah.”
What part of speech is “Cohen”?
“Cohen” is a noun.
Where does the word “Cohen” come from?
The word “Cohen” comes from Hebrew. From Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kohen), meaning "priest." It later became one of the most common Jewish surnames.
Is “Cohen” a common word?
“Cohen” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a Cohen and a rabbi?
A Cohen (Hebrew kohen) is a member of Judaism's hereditary priestly class, traditionally said to descend directly from Aaron, brother of Moses. A rabbi is an ordained teacher and religious leader whose role is earned through study rather than inherited, and a rabbi does not need to be a Cohen.
What is the plural of Cohen?
In Jewish religious usage the Hebrew plural kohanim is standard, as in "the kohanim bless the congregation." In everyday English, Cohens is also used, especially when talking about people with the surname.
Does the surname Cohen mean a family are priests?
The surname Cohen traditionally signals descent from Judaism's hereditary priestly class, and many bearers trace their line that way. However, carrying the surname does not guarantee priestly status, and many recognized kohanim have entirely different surnames.
Do Cohens still have special roles in Judaism today?
In traditional communities, kohanim retain distinct ceremonial roles, such as delivering the priestly blessing and being called first to the Torah reading. How far these customs are observed varies widely between communities and denominations.
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