Seder

American  

[say-der] / ˈseɪ dər /

noun

Judaism.

• Seders,
  plural
• Sedarim
  plural

1. a ceremonial dinner that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and includes the reading of the Haggadah and the eating of symbolic foods, generally held on the first night of Passover by Reform Jews and Jews in Israel and on both the first and second nights by Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside of Israel.

---

Seder British  

/ ˈseɪdə /

noun

1. Judaism a ceremonial meal with prescribed ritual reading of the Haggadah observed in Jewish homes on the first night or first two nights of Passover

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Sedarim
  plural
• Seders
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of Seder

First recorded in 1860–65, Seder is from the Hebrew word sēdher literally, order, arrangement

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Seder Sedarim Seders

Dan leads the Seder in such a brusque way that his wife reflects, “on this night my husband is a control freak. That’s how he celebrates freedom from slavery.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

He shared a photo of his Seder table to social media on Saturday evening with the message "Happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!"

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2025

Sounding in despair, he also reflected on how Passover was approaching with the traditional Seder meal.

From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2025

Blue tarps and blankets were put down in the middle of the lawn for Islamic prayers and a Passover Seder and a Shabbat service.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024

Hannah whispered to herself, and the dream she’d had came back to her: all that Seder food and the familiar faces around the table, faces she cculd almost— but not quite—name.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

This is not my original thought but I do love it and share it at all the Sedarim I attend or make.

From New York Times ● Mar. 20, 2018

Jews talk about existential issues during their Passover Seders, he said, and this issue will certainly be discussed this week.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 5, 2023

Passover traditions change and evolve — no two Seders are the same, which makes them so special.

From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2023

Throughout the day, children can collage matzo plates for Seders, the ritual meals at which the story of the Exodus is told.

From New York Times ● May 5, 2022

Before Rabbi Julie Schonfeld’s Passover Seders this year, she’ll do all her usual rituals.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 14, 2022

JDC is organizing in-person Seders in countries bordering Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, she said, and is facilitating online Seders where it’s too dangerous to gather in person.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 12, 2022

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---