Purim

American  

[poor-im, poo-reem, poor-im] / ˈpʊər ɪm, puˈrim, ˈpʊər ɪm /

noun

1. a Jewish festival celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Adar in commemoration of the deliverance of the Jews in Persia from destruction by Haman.

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Purim British  

/ ˈpʊərɪm, puːˈriːm /

noun

1. a Jewish holiday celebrated on Adar 14, in February or March, and in Adar Sheni in leap years, to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the massacre planned for them by Haman (Esther 9)

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Purim Cultural  

1. A Jewish festival celebrated each spring before Passover (see also Passover). It commemorates the deliverance of the Jews (see also Jews) from wholesale slaughter by Haman. (See Esther.)

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Usage

What is Purim? Purim is a Jewish holiday in celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a massacre planned by Haman, a powerful Persian official. The story of Purim revolves around Esther, the Jewish wife of Persian King Ahasuerus, and her pleas to the king to save the Jewish people. Jews often observe Purim with religious services that include readings from the Book of Esther. It is traditional during such readings to make noise to drown out Haman’s name when it is spoken. Festive traditions include special meals and dressing up in costume. Small cakes known as hamantaschen are popular Purim treats. Purim comes before Passover, a major Jewish holiday.

Etymology

Origin of Purim

< Hebrew pūrīm, plural of pūr lot

Example Sentences

The universal message of Purim is prayer for the protective hand of God when confronted with evil, and the importance of men and women willing to take up arms to confront that evil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

This is why gift-giving is baked into the celebration of Purim.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

“If the conflict abates by Monday sundown, coinciding with the start of the Jewish holiday Purim, the oil price spike could prove short-lived,” Kaneva wrote.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

The holiday of Purim is a testament to the will of Jewish self-preservation — intricately entangled with the liberation of all peoples.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2025

During Purim, our congregation gathers at the synagogue to listen to the Megillah, the scroll that tells Esther’s story.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan