rabbi

[ rab-ahy ]

/ ˈræb aɪ /

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noun, plural rab·bis.

the chief religious official of a synagogue, trained usually in a theological seminary and duly ordained, who delivers the sermon at a religious service and performs ritualistic, pastoral, educational, and other functions in and related to the role of a spiritual leader of Judaism and the Jewish community.Compare cantor (def. 2).

a title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher.

a Jewish scholar qualified to rule on questions of Jewish law.

any of the Jewish scholars of the 1st to 6th centuries a.d. who contributed to the writing, editing, or compiling of the Talmud.

Slang. a personal patron or adviser, as in business.

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Origin of rabbi

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English rabi (from Old French rab(b)i) from Late Latin rabbī, from Greek rhabbí, from Hebrew rabbī “my master” (rabh “master” + -ī “my”)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rabbi

clergy, cleric, imam, minister, pastor, priest, rabbi

Words nearby rabbi

rabban, Rabbath Ammon, rabbet, rabbet joint, rabbet plane, rabbi, rabbin, rabbinate, Rabbinic, rabbinical, rabbinics

Other definitions for rabbi (2 of 2)

rabbi²

[ rab-ee ]

/ ˈræb i /

noun Ecclesiastical.

rabat¹.

Origin of rabbi

By alteration

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rabbi in a sentence

Lawson felt she could do this more effectively if she had the title “rabbi,” and she wanted to raise awareness of racial and ethnic diversity in the Jewish community.
Making Reconstructing Judaism work for all|Kathi Wolfe|February 18, 2021|Washington Blade
Lown was born Boruch Latz on June 7, 1921, in Utena, Lithuania, where a grandfather was a rabbi.
Bernard Lown, physician who rallied doctors against nuclear war, dies at 99|Emily Langer|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
Lasry explained that his wife’s uncle, a rabbi at a Milwaukee senior-living center, had called her about having extra, unused doses of the vaccine.
Milwaukee Bucks executive announces run for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin|Matt Bonesteel|February 17, 2021|Washington Post
“There are times we will look at someone eating alone in a restaurant and we feel like we can’t go on,” says Susan Silverman, a rabbi in Israel and one of three older sisters.
Sarah Silverman just wants to make things right|Geoff Edgers|February 4, 2021|Washington Post

Still, by their very history, some rabbis deliver a powerful message.
Praying for the politicians: A new book recounts the history of rabbis in the Capitol|John Kelly|December 9, 2020|Washington Post
One of my most important mentors was a brilliant and eccentric rabbi from Bethesda, Maryland.
Fixing a Dysfunctional Family: Congress|Gene Robinson|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Freundel is also rabbi of the prominent Kesher Israel synagogue in Washington.
Accusations Pile Up on Top D.C. Rabbi Barry Freundel|Steven I. Weiss|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His office let Rabbi Yehuda Kolko get away without jail time or registering as a sex offender.
The Orthodox Sex Abuse Crackdown That Wasn’t|Emily Shire|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, if it's Carrie and her spy-rabbi Saul, courtesy of the inimitable Mandy Patinkin, the answer is: Yes, we still are.
‘Homeland’ Season 4: A Stripped-Down and Surprisingly Badass Return to Form|Marlow Stern|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He remembered one day when Rabbi Bodenheimer came outside during recess.
This 'Holy Guy'—and Grandfather of 100—Is Accused of Sexually Abusing a Student|Batya Ungar-Sargon|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, "Rabbi, behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away."
His Last Week|William E. Barton
Rabbi Gamaliel ordered his servant Tobi to bring something good from the market, and he brought a tongue.
Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala|Various
The Rabbi Effendi had approached the river from a different direction, and that some years before.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
Rabbi Mr. Wigram had needed some trifling repair to his boots, and had accordingly sent them overnight to a cobbler.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
Again was Rabbi Jochanan filled with wonder, but he said naught, and they proceeded on their journey.
Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala|Various

British Dictionary definitions for rabbi

rabbi

/ (ˈræbaɪ) /

noun plural -bis

(in Orthodox Judaism) a man qualified in accordance with traditional religious law to expound, teach, and rule in accordance with this law

the religious leader of a congregation; the minister of a synagogue

the Rabbis the early Jewish scholars whose teachings are recorded in the Talmud

Word Origin for rabbi

Hebrew, from rabh master + -ī my

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for rabbi

rabbi

In Judaism, a teacher and leader of worship, usually associated with a synagogue.

rabbi

Origin of rabbi

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rabbi

Words nearby rabbi

Other definitions for rabbi (2 of 2)

Origin of rabbi

Words related to rabbi

How to use rabbi in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rabbi

Word Origin for rabbi

Cultural definitions for rabbi