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Samuel

American  
[sam-yoo-uhl] / ˈsæm yu əl /

noun

  1. a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.

  2. either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.

  3. a male given name.


Samuel British  
/ ˈsæmjʊəl /

noun

  1. a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)

  2. either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel

"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 Samuel

From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”

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 Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, which houses the Endeavour shuttle stack, is nearest to completion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The California Science Center announced Monday that construction has been completed on its new Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center, bringing the highly anticipated expansion one step closer to its public debut.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Caitlin Martin, 24 and Samuel Fairley, 25, have known each other for three years but have been together two-and-a-half years.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

WASHINGTON—Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was taken to a hospital and given fluids for dehydration last month after attending a dinner in his honor in Philadelphia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

One of the letters was addressed to Dr. Samuel A. Mudd.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson