Hamas

[ hah-mahs ]

/ hɑˈmɑs /

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noun

a Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist movement engaged in grass-roots organizing and armed resistance and terrorism against Israel.

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Origin of Hamas

From the Arabic word hamas, literally, zeal

Words nearby Hamas

Haman, hamantasch, hamantash, hamartia, hamartiology, Hamas, hamate, hamba, hamba kahle, Hambletonian, hambo

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Hamas in a sentence

Lukashenko has claimed that Belarus air traffic controllers diverted the plane because of a emailed bomb threat purporting to be from the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Putin questions U.S. prosecution of Capitol rioters, saying mob carried only ‘political requests’|Isabelle Khurshudyan|June 4, 2021|Washington Post
Critics also accused the prime minister of not doing enough to stop Hamas rocket attacks, or to reclaim bodies of Israeli soldiers.
Netanyahu May Finally Be Out as Israeli Opposition Finds Enough Votes to Axe Him|McCaffrey Blauner|May 30, 2021|The Daily Beast
Israeli policy on settlements must change and Hamas must stop lobbing rockets into Israel.
Opinion | Netanyahu, Hamas must go to achieve any peace|Peter Rosenstein|May 27, 2021|Washington Blade
On May 21, Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas entered a ceasefire.
A Ceasefire Won’t Protect Palestinians From Looming Climate Threats—Or Israel From the Fallout|Ciara Nugent|May 26, 2021|Time

The conflict threw into bolder relief Iran’s provision of funding and rockets to Hamas.
Israel vs. Hamas: Winners, Losers and What Comes Next|Sean Culligan|May 25, 2021|Ozy
The question is will we see regime changes in both Hamas and Israel that embrace a lasting peace?
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead|Dean Obeidallah|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Supporting Hamas, or not supporting Hamas is not the issue,” said Israeli activist Miko Peled.
Pro-Palestinian Group Lectured On Skirting Terror Laws|Shane Harris|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The peace process is in a coma; and ISIS, Hamas, Assad, Hezbollah, and the Iranian mullahs make Israel look like the good guys.
The Inside Story of U.S. Meddling in Israel’s Elections|Aaron David Miller|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hamas called the attack “heroic” and, disgustingly, tweeted out photos of the bodies.
Mass Murder in the Holy City|Michael Tomasky|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fighters from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other groups did not fall back.
The Ghosts of Gaza: Israel’s Soldier Suicides|Creede Newton|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the sun rose, all on board beheld one of the Ba-hamas, which Columbus mistook for an island off the coast of Asia.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber
I have heard it said in the village—Bill Hamas, the carpenter, declares that there are double doors.
The Vanished Messenger|E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for Hamas

Hamas

/ (ˈhæmæs) /

noun

an organization founded in 1987 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Palestine

Word Origin for Hamas

C20: Arabic: zeal; also an acronym for haraka muqawama islamia Islamic Armed Movement

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

Cultural definitions for Hamas

Hamas

A radical Palestinian organization founded in 1987 in opposition to the moderate policies of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In a controversial move, Yasir Arafat has brought members of Hamas into positions of authority within the Palestinian Authority. Hamas sponsors terrorism directed at Israel, especially in the form of suicide bombers in crowded places.