shiva
noun
the traditional seven-day period of mourning observed by Jews immediately following the funeral of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse.
shiva
1 American
[shiv-uh]
/ ˈʃɪv ə /
Also
shibah
or
shivah
noun
idioms
Shiva
2
American
[shee-vuh]
/ ˈʃi və /
Also
Siva
noun
Hinduism.
Shiva
British
/ ˈʃiːvə, ˈʃɪvə /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of shiva1
First recorded in 1890–95; from Ashkenazi pronunciation of Hebrew shibhʿāh “seven”
Origin of Shiva2
From Sanskrit: literally, “the auspicious”
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:
“I wasn’t able to grieve. When Tamir returns I will sit shiva with all of the respect he deserves.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2025
In the Jewish tradition, after someone dies, you sit shiva for a week.
From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2025
After the death of his mother was confirmed, Carmel’s family began preparing for shiva, the Jewish ritual of mourning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2024
All are brought together, at the deceased patriarch’s request, to sit shiva for a backbreaking seven days.
From New York Times ● Feb. 29, 2024
They buried him before sundown that day and we sat shiva for him.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
In an 1803 etching and aquatint with watercolor by Thomas Daniell, we see Gangaram absorbed in sketching wall reliefs of Shiva and Parvati from a rock-cut cave at Ellora.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
"We used to have a very slender Ram, a very slender Shiva, drawn lovingly by artists who drew by hand," said Puri, 68, who has been with ACK for 34 years.
From Barron's ● Feb. 1, 2026
"Not a lot of trans people in India, or even the world, have the support of their families," says filmmaker, Shiva Krish.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2025
Aloo Kumar, 55, wanted to express her gratitude to Lord Shiva, one of Hinduism’s three most important deities.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2024
Shiva took me under his wing, just like Alex used to do, and introduced me to some of the neighborhood kids, helping me feel more at home.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
