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sabra

American  
[sah-bruh, -brah] / ˈsɑ brə, -brɑ /

noun

  1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a person born in Israel.


sabra British  
/ ˈsɑːbrə /

noun

  1. a native-born Israeli Jew

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sabra

1940–45; < colloquial Modern Hebrew sabre literally, prickly pear < Arabic ṣabrah

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.

See Examples For:

The word also refers to the sabra plant, a type of prickly pear endemic in the Middle East.

From Washington Times Sep. 15, 2022

But the hardy sabra bushes remained an indelible part of the landscape even after most traces of the villages were erased.

From New York Times Sep. 15, 2022

Mr. Oz was a sabra, or native-born Israeli who grew up in Jerusalem when it was under British control.

From Washington Post Dec. 28, 2018

Unlike the sabra, Peres was always smooth and well-polished on the outside.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 27, 2016

Unlike Rabin, a secular-minded sabra, Begin is a deeply religious man who seems quite comfortable with yarmulke, shawl and prayer book.

From Time Magazine Archive

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