Samuel
Americannoun
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a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.
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either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.
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a male given name.
noun
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a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)
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either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel
Etymology
Origin of Samuel
From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Benjamin Latrobe, who replaced Thornton as architect of the Capitol, feuded with Commissioner of Public Buildings Samuel Lane, who had a disabled arm.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Sturgis, Rogers and Ames were all in Fields’ Echo Theater Company production of Samuel D. Hunter’s “Clarkston,” a more scrupulously observed relationship drama with its own share of surprising turns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Just some stuff that Justice Samuel Alito thinks about it.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
During a visit to Ituri on Thursday, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba acknowledged "delays in payment" and gave assurances that the "organisational issue" at the root of the problem would be resolved.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
Was Reverend Hunt’s prediction right—did Samuel become something much greater than a servant?
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
