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bethel

1 American  
[beth-uhl] / ˈbɛθ əl /

noun

  1. a sacred area or sanctuary.

  2. a church or hostel for sailors.

Bethel 2 American  
[beth-uhl, beth-el, beth-el] / ˈbɛθ əl, ˈbɛθ ɛl, ˌbɛθˈɛl /

noun

  1. a village near Jerusalem.

  2. a town in southwestern Connecticut.

Bethel British  
/ ˈbɛθəl /

noun

  1. an ancient town in the West Bank, near Jerusalem: in the Old Testament, the place where the dream of Jacob occurred (Genesis 28:19)

  2. a chapel of any of certain Nonconformist Christian sects

  3. a seamen's chapel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bethel

First recorded in 1610–20, bethel is from Hebrew bēth 'ēl “house of God”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The bethel was in itself a very neat affair.

From Kathay: A Cruise in the China Seas by Macaulay, W. Hastings

This over, the place began in earnest its distinctive career. fish island.   seamen’s bethel and sailor’s home.   merchants’ and mechanics’ bank.

From The New England Magazine, Volume 1, No. 5, Bay State Monthly, Volume 4, No. 5, May, 1886 by Various

Sometimes I’m almost persuaded to be converted, and take the boss position in a bethel, all amongst the tea and wimmen-folk.

From The Tale of Timber Town by Grace, Alfred A. (Alfred Augustus)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.