Abraham

[ey-bruh-ham, -huhm]

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.”

Abraham

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

• Abrahamic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Abraham¹

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”

Example Sentences

The house will be better shielded against fire, Abraham said, with concrete roof tiles, tempered windows, sprinklers and enclosed eaves.

From Los Angeles Times

Even more contested figures such as John F. Kennedy or Abraham Lincoln show the same pattern.

From Salon

On the contrary, as the Abraham Accords peace deals of 2020 proved, there is plenty of reason to embolden Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

Abraham Lincoln, in a reply to Sen. Stephen Douglas dated October 16, 1854, said that slavery was founded in the selfishness of man’s nature and opposition to it was founded in his love of justice.

From Salon

"Every Ig Nobel prize winner has done something that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think," said Marc Abrahams, founder of the awards.

From BBC