shekel

[shek-uhl]

noun

1. Also sheqel a paper money, cupronickel or silver coin, and monetary unit of Israel equal to 100 agorot: replaced the pound in 1980.

2. an ancient, originally Babylonian, unit of weight, of varying value, taken as equal to the fiftieth or the sixtieth part of a mina or to about a quarter to half an ounce.

3. a coin of this weight, especially the chief silver coin of the ancient Hebrews.

4. Slang.,  shekels, money; cash.

shekel

/ ˈʃɛkəl /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of modern Israel, divided into 100 agorot

2. any of several former coins and units of weight of the Near East

3. informal,  (often plural) any coin or money

Word History and Origins

Origin of shekel¹

First recorded in 1550–60, shekel is from the Hebrew word sheqel

Word History and Origins

Origin of shekel¹

C16: from Hebrew sheqel

Example Sentences

Residents reported journeys taking hours and costing hundreds of shekels due to the scarcity of transport and soaring prices.

From BBC

"It took us 10 hours to reach Khan Younis, and we paid 3,500 shekels for the ride. The line of cars and trucks seemed endless."

From BBC

We even managed to save a few shekels and paid cash for our house in Italy.

From Salon

Years of Palestinian counterparties failing to pay Gaza’s power bill — for financial and political reasons — had by 2023 racked up a debt to Israel of 2 billion shekels, about $500 million.

From Salon

"For example, I used to buy sugar for five shekels, three shekels, or four shekels, but now I buy sugar for six shekels, meaning I don't make more than a small profit," he said.

From BBC