Judas

American  

[joo-duhs] / ˈdʒu dəs /

noun

1. Also called Judas Iscariot.  the disciple who betrayed Jesus in the New Testament.

2. a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.

3. Also called Saint Judas,.  Also called Saint Jude.  one of the 12 apostles of Jesus (not Judas Iscariot).

4. (in the Bible) a brother of James (and possibly of Jesus).

5. Also called judas hole.  Usually judas a peephole, as in an entrance door or the door of a prison cell.

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adjective

1. (of an animal) used as a decoy to lead other animals to slaughter.

   A Judas goat led sheep into the abattoir.

Judas ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒuːdəs /

noun

1. Full name: Judas Iscariot.  New Testament the apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3–6, 47–48)

2. a person who betrays a friend; traitor

3. a brother or relative of James and also of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). This figure, Thaddaeus, and Jude were probably identical

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adjective

1. denoting an animal or bird used to lure others of its kind or lead them to slaughter

judas ² British  

/ ˈdʒuːdəs /

noun

1. Also called: judas window.   judas hole.  (sometimes capital) a peephole or a very small window in a door

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Other Word Forms

• Judaslike adjective

Etymology

Origin of judas

C19: after Judas Iscariot

Example Sentences

The cult star promised covers of metal staples like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, as well as "a few originals forged in the same cosmic fire."

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

In 2 Maccabees, Judas Maccabeus offers prayers for the dead—meaningful only if the soul can be aided after death—but Protestants typically consider the book extracanonical.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

Judas Priest's rendition of the Black Sabbath classic was released on Friday with all profits donated to the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation and Cure Parkinson's.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2025

The conflict between Erivo’s all-seeing, all-feeling Jesus and Lambert’s competitive yet remorseful Judas was thrillingly brought to life in their different yet wholly compatible musical styles.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

The last I saw of Count Dracula was his kissing his hand to me; with a red light of triumph in his eyes, and with a smile that Judas in hell might be proud of.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker