Hamas

American  

[hah-mahs] / hɑˈmɑs /

noun

1. a Palestinian Islamic militant political party engaged in grassroots organizing, armed resistance, and acts of terrorism against Israel: designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

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Hamas British  

/ ˈhæmæs /

noun

1. an organization founded in 1987 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Palestine

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Hamas Cultural  

1. A radical Palestinian organization founded in 1987 in opposition to the moderate policies of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In a controversial move, Yasir Arafat has brought members of Hamas into positions of authority within the Palestinian Authority. Hamas sponsors terrorism directed at Israel, especially in the form of suicide bombers in crowded places.

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Etymology

Origin of Hamas

First recorded in 1985–90; vocalization of Arabic ḤMS, abbreviation of Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmīyah “Islamic Resistance Movement,” from ḥarakat, form of ḥarakah “movement” + muqāwama “opposition, resistance” + Islāmīyah “Islamic” ( see Islam ( def. )); coined as a pun on ḥamās “excitement, zeal”

Example Sentences

The tribunal heard McGinty made numerous posts on X, including about transgender issues and Hamas, which were deemed to have breached BBC social media and editorial policy guidelines.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

The five have also been charged with using symbols of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, which is proscribed as a "terrorist organisation" in Germany.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Israel has been searching for tunnels crossing between the Hamas and Israeli areas of control by drilling all along the yellow line.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The Brotherhood is a century-old Islamist group that renounced violence in the 1970s, though spinoffs such as Hamas remain active and on the U.S. blacklist.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

I have heard it said in the village—Bill Hamas, the carpenter, declares that there are double doors.

From The Vanished Messenger by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)