challah

American  

[khah-luh, hah] / ˈxɑ lə, ˈhɑ /

Also challeh,

noun

1. a loaf of rich white bread leavened with yeast and containing eggs, often braided before baking, prepared especially for the Jewish Sabbath.

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challah British  

/ ˈhɑːlə, xaˈla /

noun

1. bread, usually in the form of a plaited loaf, traditionally eaten by Jews to celebrate the Sabbath

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Etymology

Origin of challah

From the Hebrew word hallāh

Example Sentences

But it’s a Shabbat dinner, complete with Hebrew prayers over challah.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025

The six mothers had gathered in a Jerusalem home on a recent Friday to prepare challah, the braided bread that Jews eat on the Sabbath.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2023

On the table were candles, wine and loaves of challah, the braided bread typically eaten during the Friday night meal.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2023

The biggest, and most common, mistake that can ruin your challah is not following the recipe exactly.

From Salon • Sep. 16, 2023

We aren’t very religious, but today Mami bought a challah.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar