shiva

¹ American  

[shiv-uh] / ˈʃɪv ə /

Also shibah or shivah

noun

1. the traditional seven-day period of mourning observed by Jews immediately following the funeral of a parent, sibling, child, or spouse.

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idioms

1. sit shiva, to observe this period.

Shiva ² American  

[shee-vuh] / ˈʃi və /

Also Siva

noun

Hinduism.

1. “the Destroyer,” the third member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver.

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Shiva British  

/ ˈʃiːvə, ˈʃɪvə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Siva

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Other Word Forms

• Shivaism noun
• Shivaist noun
• Shivaistic adjective

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

In Jewish religion, to begin the ritual mourning period, called shiva, a body needs to be buried first.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

And in some ways, we are still in shiva now, but not so intensively.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2025

As word spread about Adrienne, many Palestinian community members felt an urge to attend her shiva, but weren’t sure they’d be welcome.

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

Saying kaddish and sitting shiva, that absolves them of any responsibility for you.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride