mezuzah

American  

[muh-zooz-uh, muh-zoo-zah, muh-zoo-zuh] / məˈzʊz ə, mə zuˈzɑ, məˈzʊ zə /

Or mezuza

noun

plural

mezuzoth, mezuzot, mezuzos,

plural

mezuzahs

1. Judaism. a parchment scroll inscribed on one side with the Biblical passages Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and on the other side with the word Shaddai (a name applied to God), inserted in a small case or tube so that Shaddai is visible through an aperture in front, and attached by some Jews to the doorjambs of the home.

---

mezuzah British  

/ məˈzʊzə, məˈzʊzə, -ˈzuː-, məzʊˈzɑ /

noun

1. a piece of parchment inscribed with biblical passages and fixed to the doorpost of the rooms of a Jewish house

2. a metal case for such a parchment, sometimes worn as an ornament

---

Etymology

Origin of mezuzah

First recorded in 1640–50; from Hebrew məzūzāh, literally, “doorjamb, doorpost”

Example Sentences

"Every house in a Jewish town has a mezuzah on the door, which is like a little tube with a little Torah scroll inside and when you come through, you touch it."

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025

Yet, a broken clock is right at least twice, as the saying goes; for example, many doors have a mezuzah on them, and, miraculously, no one seems to have to explain it.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2022

Mr. Hatch was also remembered by Jewish media for writing a Hanukkah song — and for wearing a mezuzah around his neck and staunchly supporting Israel.

From Washington Times • Apr. 25, 2022

As she reached for the goods -- a mezuzah, a hanukiah -- Mishulovin wrapped tefillin around her husband's wrist.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2016

We kiss the mezuzah that is on the doorpost, not hidden, and we enter their house, where we are greeted by my mother’s sister and brother—Tía Mazal and Tío Yehuda.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar