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

She got two major donors, former Brown Chancellor Tom Tisch and Canyon Partners co-founder Mitch Julis, to fund dedicated kosher, halal and allergen-aware dining stations in the main campus dining hall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

For Chinese manufacturers contending with weaker demand at home and new trade barriers in the West, the market for halal goods offers an attractive source of growth.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

During Eid al-Adha, observers honor the sacrifice of the prophet Abraham and prepare halal meat to share with family, friends and those in need.

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

The day after Thanksgiving they had all gone to Jackson Heights, to the halal butcher so that both their mothers could stock up on goat meat, and then to brunch.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri