Seder

American  

[sey-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.

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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

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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

Once, during a Passover Seder, Aft introduced me to his congregation as the Prophet Elijah.

From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2026

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

"I hope my little brother can sit with us at the Seder."

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

But then she remembered how scared she’d been the first time she’d had to ask the Four Questions at the Seder and she stopped.

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

Stoppard, who was raised knowing little about Judaism, turned to friends while writing the play, seeking advice for a scene involving a bris and discussing Seders with Fran Lebowitz.

From New York Times ● Sep. 7, 2022

And Aunt Beth’s matzoh balls, those perfect sinkers, are part of a picture I revisit in my head when I think fondly of Seders of yore.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 9, 2022

Returning to Seattle in 1969, Spafford continued his association with both the UW and the Francine Seders Gallery; Seders represented his work for a half-century.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 1, 2022