Day of Atonement

American  

noun

Judaism.

1. Yom Kippur.

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Day of Atonement British  

noun

1. another name for Yom Kippur

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Day of Atonement Cultural  

1. An annual day of fasting and prayer among the Israelites, still observed by their descendants, the present-day Jews (see also Jews). It occurs in autumn, and its observance is one of the requirements of the Mosaic law. Jews call this day Yom Kippur.

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Etymology

Origin of Day of Atonement

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashana — the Jewish New Year — and continue through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which ends at nightfall Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2025

Capitol Visitor Center days before the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and a 10-day period of introspection leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

From Washington Times • Sep. 13, 2023

Jews observe an annual Day of Atonement, which features a process of confession and repentance called teshuvah.

From Washington Post • Jun. 27, 2022

In many cases, plans keep changing with the approach of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which starts the evening of Sept. 6, followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on Sept. 15-16.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2021

I refused to believe that my fate was already written for me, even before the Day of Atonement.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros