Abraham

American  

[ey-bruh-ham, -huhm] / ˈeɪ brəˌhæm, -həm /

noun

1. the first of the great Biblical patriarchs, father of Isaac, and traditional founder of the ancient Hebrew nation: considered by Muslims an ancestor of the Arab peoples through his son Ishmael.

2. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “father of many.”

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Abraham British  

/ ˈeɪbrəˌhæm, -həm /

noun

1. Old Testament the first of the patriarchs, the father of Isaac and the founder of the Hebrew people (Genesis 11–25)

2. the place where the just repose after death (Luke 16:22)

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Other Word Forms

• Abrahamic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Abraham

First recorded before 1000; from Late Latin, from Greek Abraám, from Hebrew ʾabhrāhām, traditionally translated as “father of many nations, father of multitudes,” equivalent to ʾabh “father” + hamon “multitude,” or a variant of ʾabhram “high father, exalted father,” equivalent to ʾabh “father” + ram “high, exalted”

Compare meaning

How does abraham compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Abram vs. Abraham

Example Sentences

“The future of the country runs through that family—it’s a monarchy,” said Abraham Jiménez Enoa, an exiled Cuban journalist and writer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Analysts suggested it was too early to tell the impact of the war on Israel's relationship with Gulf countries, and Netanyahu's desire to expand the Abraham Accords.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

"Describing the Heavens: Astronomy from Islamic scientists to Bradford's Abraham Sharp" has been given £3,500 to create a series of family events, workshops and an exhibition.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

For instance, one of the Bible’s best-known passages has God test Abraham by demanding he bind and sacrifice Isaac.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

But Abraham Lincoln recovered, and Mary did not.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson