Sanhedrin

[ san-hed-rin, -hee-drin, sahn-, san-i-drin ]

/ sænˈhɛd rɪn, -ˈhi drɪn, sɑn-, ˈsæn ɪ drɪn /

Save This Word!

noun Jewish History.

Also called Great Sanhedrin. the highest council of the ancient Jews, consisting of 71 members, and exercising authority from about the 2nd century b.c.

Also called Lesser Sanhedrin. a lower tribunal of this period, consisting of 23 members.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Also San·he·drim

[san-hi-drim, san-i-]. /ˈsæn hɪ drɪm, ˈsæn ɪ-/.

Origin of Sanhedrin

1580–90; <late Hebrew Sanhedhrīn<Greek synédrion, equivalent to syn-syn- + hédr(a) seat (cf. cathedral) + -ion noun suffix

Words nearby Sanhedrin

sanguineous, sanguino-, sanguinolent, sanguinopurulent, sanguivorous, Sanhedrin, Sanibel Island, sanicle, sanidine, sanies, San Ildefonso

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use Sanhedrin in a sentence

In the introduction to his commentary on the eleventh chapter of the Mishnic treatise Sanhedrin (chapter Helek).
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
Of all the Sanhedrin only Sameas “a righteous man and therefore superior to fear” dared to speak.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various
A new Sanhedrin was formed there under the presidency of a ruler, who received yearly dues from all Jewish communities.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various
Such a Court would not be a secret diplomatic Sanhedrin, but a democratic Tribunal.
German Problems and Personalities|Charles Sarolea

The Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle in order that the members might be able to see one another.
The Worlds Greatest Books, Volume XIII.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Sanhedrin

Sanhedrin

/ (ˈsænɪdrɪn) /

noun Judaism

the supreme judicial, ecclesiastical, and administrative council of the Jews in New Testament times, having 71 members

a similar tribunal of 23 members having less important functions and authority

Word Origin for Sanhedrin

C16: from Late Hebrew, from Greek sunedrion council, from sun- syn- + hedra seat

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