shofar

American  

[shoh-fer, shaw-fahr, shoh-fuhr, shoh-fahr] / ˈʃoʊ fər, ʃɔˈfɑr, ˈʃoʊ fər, ʃoʊˈfɑr /

Or shophar

noun

Judaism.

• shofars,
  plural
• shofroth,
  plural
• shofrot,
  plural
• shofros
  plural

1. a ram's horn blown as a wind instrument, sounded in Biblical times chiefly to communicate signals in battle and announce certain religious occasions and in modern times chiefly at synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

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shofar British  

/ ˈʃəʊfɑː, ʃɔˈfar /

noun

1. Judaism a ram's horn sounded in the synagogue daily during the month of Elul and repeatedly on Rosh Hashanah, and by the ancient Israelites as a warning, summons, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• shofars
  plural
• shofros
  plural
• shofrot
  plural
• shofroth
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shofar

First recorded in 1860–65, from Hebrew shōphār “ram's horn”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shofar shofars

Many people know that Jews blow the shofar, or ram’s horn, on the holy days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

“It’s perverse … to use the shofar, which is played during religious ceremonies, to announce himself,” said Pablo Gorodneff, secretary-general of the progressive Argentine Jewish Appeal group.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2024

Philosemitism: A term referring to the exaggerated or grandiose “love” displayed by Christian Zionists and other Christian conservatives toward Jews, which often involves the adoption of certain Jewish practices, such as blowing the shofar.

From Salon ● May 26, 2024

The crowd held its breath at Sinai Temple as Nilli Salem played an extended note on the shofar, an instrument typically made from a ram’s horn and used in important Jewish rituals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2023

With his philacteries wound around his arm, he should be placed before the Ark and, amidst burning candles and to the accompaniment of shofar blasts, made to recite a lengthy awe-inspiring oath.

From History of the Jews in Russia and Poland. Volume II From the death of Alexander I. until the death of Alexander III. (1825-1894) by I. Friedlaender

“As far as I can tell, when Christians are using shofars, they’re not connecting to Yemenite Jewish tradition at all,” she said.

From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2022

In the videos, Mastriano performs a ritual act of spiritual warfare — blowing shofars with the Shofar Army and Prophet Bill Yount of Blowing the Shofar Ministries.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2022

When the athlete landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday, the crowd waved flags, sprayed champagne and blew shofars, the traditional Jewish ram’s horn.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2021

Sound the shofars: Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, began on Sunday evening and ends on Tuesday evening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2019

This Sunday children can also make shofars for Rosh Hashana and other crafts.

From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2013