Nakba

American

[nok-buh, nak-bah] / ˈnɒk bə, ˈnæk bɑ /

noun

the mass expulsion and dispossession of Palestinians from the partitioned state of Palestine by Jewish militia and Israeli military forces between 1947 and 1949.

Etymology

Origin of Nakba

First recorded in 1960–65; from Arabic: literally, “catastrophe, disaster”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The force deployed 4,000 officers -- alongside horses, dogs, drones and helicopters -- to manage Robinson's so-called "Unite the Kingdom" march and the rival rally marking Nakba Day.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Protesters are due to gather at Parliament Square on Saturday, while the separate pro-Palestine Nakba Day march begins at Waterloo Place.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

May 15 marks the 77th anniversary of the Nakba.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

Mohammad is the grandchild of Palestinian Nakba survivors who remain refugees, she said; she is also an outspoken Democrat.

From Slate • Aug. 22, 2024

The Nakba came to define modern Palestinian identity, and yet for many Palestinians, it is not part of the past, but still unfolding.

From Salon • May 26, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023