Hezbollah

American  

[hez-buh-lah, khes-bah-lah] / ˌhɛz bəˈlɑ, ˌxɛs bɑˈlɑ /

Or Hizballah,

noun

1. a radical Shiʿite Muslim organization in Lebanon engaged in guerrilla warfare against Israel.

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Hezbollah British  

/ ˌhɛzbəˈlɑː /

noun

1. an organization of militant Shiite Muslims based in Lebanon

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Hezbollah Cultural  

1. A radical Arabic organization that arose after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The Hezbollah has often been accused of terrorism.

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Etymology

Origin of Hezbollah

< Arabic: literally, Party of God

Example Sentences

Aoun, a former army chief, took office after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia and political party that is backed by Iran.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Investors are also keeping an eye on attempts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he was pushing to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Kim Ghattas, a journalist and former BBC correspondent who wrote the book Black Wave, told me Hezbollah was an essential part of the lives of many in the Shia community.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Earlier wars with Hezbollah and Iran appeared to shift the regional balance of power in Israel’s favor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The prospect of direct negotiations is likely to kick up fierce opposition from Hezbollah and its political ally, the Lebanese Shiite party Amal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026