Hamas

American  

[hah-mahs] / hɑˈmɑs /

noun

1. a Palestinian Islamic militant political party engaged in grassroots organizing, armed resistance, and acts of terrorism against Israel: designated a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

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Hamas British  

/ ˈhæmæs /

noun

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

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Hamas Cultural  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of Hamas

First recorded in 1985–90; vocalization of Arabic ḤMS, abbreviation of Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmīyah “Islamic Resistance Movement,” from ḥarakat, form of ḥarakah “movement” + muqāwama “opposition, resistance” + Islāmīyah “Islamic” ( see Islam ( def. )); coined as a pun on ḥamās “excitement, zeal”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Hamas

Three years after Hamas led the deadliest attack ever against Israel, Kenig, like so much of the country, remains traumatised.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

A blood-and-thunder history of the region, from Ibn Saud’s capture of Riyadh in 1902 to the Hamas attacks of 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

In October, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

The AI analyzes known Hamas agents’ phones for patterns in their cellular signals and compares them to hundreds of thousands of others in Gaza.

From Salon ● Sep. 21, 2026

I have heard it said in the village—Bill Hamas, the carpenter, declares that there are double doors.

From The Vanished Messenger by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim