shiva

¹ American  

[shiv-uh] / ˈʃɪv ə /

Also shibah or shivah

noun

1. the traditional seven-day period of mourning observed by Jews immediately following the funeral of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse.

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idioms

1. sit shiva, to observe this period.

Shiva ² American  

[shee-vuh] / ˈʃi və /

Also Siva

noun

Hinduism.

1. “the Destroyer,” the third member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver.

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Shiva British  

/ ˈʃiːvə, ˈʃɪvə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Siva

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Other Word Forms

• Shivaism noun
• Shivaist noun
• Shivaistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of shiva¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Ashkenazi pronunciation of Hebrew shibhʿāh “seven”

Origin of Shiva²

From Sanskrit: literally, “the auspicious”

Example Sentences

“I wasn’t able to grieve. When Tamir returns I will sit shiva with all of the respect he deserves.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

And in some ways, we are still in shiva now, but not so intensively.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2025

“My mother dedicated her life to bringing life into this world and seeing people as equals,” he told Sullum and many of the dozens of families who ended up coming to the shiva.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2024

All are brought together, at the deceased patriarch’s request, to sit shiva for a backbreaking seven days.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024

No family members sitting shiva, no yahrzeit candle to commemorate his death.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros