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proper noun Uncommon

Passover

PAHS-oh-vuh

Passover (proper noun) means the Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Example: “The family gathered for a Passover Seder meal.”

proper noun
1
The Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt.
"The family gathered for a Passover Seder meal."

How to use Passover

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA major Jewish holiday marking the Exodus story, when God is said to have "passed over" Israelite homes during the final plague on Egypt.

Word forms

Passovers plural

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The family gathered for a _____ Seder meal.

Etymology

A translation of the Hebrew word pesakh, coined by the English Bible translator William Tyndale in his 1530 rendering of Exodus.

Origin: Hebrew · First attested 1530

Class of 1530 Passover joined the language around 1530.
See the full Class of 1530 →

Rhymes for Passover

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Passover” mean?

The word “Passover” means the Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. In plain terms, a major Jewish holiday marking the Exodus story, when God is said to have "passed over" Israelite homes during the final plague on Egypt.

How do you pronounce “Passover”?

“Passover” is pronounced PAHS-oh-vuh (/ˈpæsˌoʊvəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Passover” in a sentence?

Here is “Passover” used in a sentence: “The family gathered for a Passover Seder meal.”

What part of speech is “Passover”?

“Passover” is a proper noun.

Where does the word “Passover” come from?

The word “Passover” dates back to around 1530 and comes from Hebrew. A translation of the Hebrew word pesakh, coined by the English Bible translator William Tyndale in his 1530 rendering of Exodus.

Is “Passover” a common word?

“Passover” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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