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Fatah

American  
[faht-ah, fuh-tah] / ˈfɑt ɑ, fəˈtɑ /

noun

  1. a Palestinian political party advocating Palestinian independence and self-rule.


Fatah British  
/ ˈfætə /

noun

  1. a Palestinian terrorist organization, founded in 1956, with the aim of destroying the state of Israel: it has splintered into rival factions since 1988

"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 Fatah

First recorded in 1965–70; vocalization of Arabic FTḤ, abbreviation of Ḥarakat al-Taḥrīr al-Waṭanī al-Filasṭīn “Palestinian National Liberation Movement,” from ḥarakat, form of ḥarakah “movement” + taḥrīr “liberation” + waṭanī “national” + Filasṭīn Palestine ( def. ); coined by reversing the elements and shortening ḤTWF to form FTḤ as a pun on fatḥ “opening, victory”

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.

See Examples For:

Candidates from the two lists that got the most votes were independents or associated with factions within Fatah, the political party that runs the Palestinian Authority, which organized the elections.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

Fatah is the only major faction on the ballot across the Palestinian territories, and is guaranteed victory in some districts because no opposition candidates are running.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026

A year later, Beijing played host to the leaders of 14 Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas.

From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2026

It also aims to root out groups such as the Jenin Battalion, a loose alliance of fighters from different factions, including Fatah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025

The troops were embarked upon the gunboats "Sultan," "Sheik," "Fatah," and barges towed by these vessels.

From Khartoum Campaign, 1898 or the Re-Conquest of the Soudan by Bennet Burleigh

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