Hezbollah

American  

[hez-buh-lah, khes-bah-lah] / ˌhɛz bəˈlɑ, ˌxɛs bɑˈlɑ /

Or Hizballah,

noun

1. a radical Shiʿite Muslim organization in Lebanon engaged in guerrilla warfare against Israel.

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Hezbollah British  

/ ˌhɛzbəˈlɑː /

noun

1. an organization of militant Shiite Muslims based in Lebanon

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Hezbollah Cultural  

1. A radical Arabic organization that arose after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The Hezbollah has often been accused of terrorism.

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Etymology

Origin of Hezbollah

< Arabic: literally, Party of God

Example Sentences

Lebanese officials hope the talks result in a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hezbollah, as well as avert a renewed, long-term Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Kim Ghattas, a journalist and former BBC correspondent who wrote the book Black Wave, told me Hezbollah was an essential part of the lives of many in the Shia community.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Investors are also keeping an eye on attempts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he was pushing to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was released by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah a week after her kidnapping in Baghdad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks targeting the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon could jeopardize the two-day-old truce.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026