Sabbath

[ sab-uhth ]

noun

1. the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as the day of rest and religious observance among Jews and some Christians.
2. the Sabbath, the first day of the week, Sunday, observed by most Christians as a day of public worship and often of rest.
3. any special day of prayer, worship, or rest.
4. Often sabbath. a day or other period of rest or break from certain forms of activity:

   If people gave themselves a weekly sabbath from electronic devices, it would probably cure many ills.

5. Sometimes sabbath. Sabbat ( def 2 ).

Sabbath

/ ˈsæbəθ /

noun

1. the seventh day of the week, Saturday, devoted to worship and rest from work in Judaism and in certain Christian Churches
2. Sunday, observed by Christians as the day of worship and rest from work in commemoration of Christ's Resurrection
3. not capital a period of rest
4. Also calledsabbatwitches' Sabbath a midnight meeting or secret rendezvous for practitioners of witchcraft, sorcery, or devil worship

Sabbath

1. The holy day of rest and reflection observed each Saturday among the Jews . This custom fulfills the fourth of the Ten Commandments (“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”). The Sabbath commemorates the last of the seven days of Creation as described in the Book of Genesis , the day God rested from his labors of creating the heavens and the Earth .

Notes

Christians have traditionally kept Sunday as a weekly day of rest in adaptation of the Jewish observance, and in commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus . Some denominations, such as the Seventh-Day Adventists , observe Saturday as the Sabbath.

Other Words From

• Sab·bath·less adjective
• Sab·bath·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sabbath¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English sabat, sabadt, sabath, Old English sabat, from Latin sabbatum, from Greek sábbaton, from Hebrew shabbāth “rest”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sabbath¹

Old English sabbat, from Latin sabbatum, from Greek sabbaton, from Hebrew shabbāth, from shābath to rest

Example Sentences

A man came into the sanctuary during Sabbath services and took hostages.

From Washington Post

On Friday evenings, Samir helps light the candles to usher in the Sabbath.

From Washington Post

Ozzy Osbourne claims the band is based on Black Sabbath, but who did you base Spinal Tap on?

From The Daily Beast

Well, it was based on an amalgam of bands—Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and Van Halen.

From The Daily Beast

However, G-d is very clear about the Sabbath being a day of rest.

From The Daily Beast

With a little effort, it is possible to keep kosher and respect the Sabbath.

From The Daily Beast

And she said in this booming voice, ‘Tomorrow is the Sabbath.’

From The Daily Beast

The prophet prayeth to be delivered from his enemies, and preacheth up the observance of the sabbath.

From Project Gutenberg

Unlike many other teachers, Susy had not to go about enticing boys to her Sabbath class.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of these young men have been trained in the Sabbath school, but at nineteen or twenty a change comes over them.

From Project Gutenberg

Death was declared an eternal sleep; God was declared a fiction, the Sabbath was abolished and religious worship denounced.

From Project Gutenberg

This minister had been accused by his antagonist of having been seen taking a walk through one of the parks on the Sabbath.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• day off
• rest day