halal

American  

[huh-lahl] / həˈlɑl /

adjective

1. 1. relating to or noting meat prepared or animals slaughtered in the manner prescribed by Islamic law.

      a halal butcher.

   2. (of foods, medications, etc.) fit to eat or use according to Islamic law: halal cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

      halal baked goods;

      halal cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

2. permissible to have or do under Islamic law.

   halal savings accounts that do not pay interest.

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noun

1. a halal animal or halal meat.

   Halal is sold at my local supermarket.

halal British  

/ hɑːˈlɑːl /

noun

1. meat from animals that have been killed according to Muslim law

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adjective

1. of or relating to such meat

   a halal butcher

verb

1. to kill (animals) in this way

Etymology

Origin of halal

First recorded in 1795–1800; from Arabic ḥalāl (noun) “that which is lawful”

Explanation

Food that's halal is allowed under the religious laws of Islam. It's especially important for observant Muslims to eat only halal meat that's been prepared in a certain way. The adjective halal can describe non-food items and also allowable or proper behavior. It's not considered halal for a Muslim to eat pork, for example, or to drink alcohol or use intoxicating drugs. The word halal literally means "lawful" in Arabic, and the specifics of what is and isn't halal is found in the Quran, the main religious text in Islam.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

halal

Now the nine of them sat on the floor in one of their two rooms, one for men and one for women, foil pans of halal food laid on towels, in eerie silence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

The halal economy presents a different test, one in which religious credibility, cultural knowledge and supply-chain transparency may matter as much as price.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

Gleckel said Khan’s statements to media have been inconsistent, framing the May event as a one-off event even as the ranch’s website advertised “ranch-to-table halal dining from animals raised on our own land.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

To keep afloat, the school stages performances at tourist sites and runs a halal steamed-bun shop.

From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026

All meals would be halal, prayer would be observed five times a day, and hijab would be observed for the girls when they came of age.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad