mezuzah

noun

me·​zu·​zah mə-ˈzu̇-zə How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
variants or mezuza
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot mə-ˈzu̇-ˌzōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: a small parchment scroll inscribed with Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and the name Shaddai and placed in a case fixed to the doorpost by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith
also : such a scroll and its case

Examples of mezuzah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lewis has bought new mezuzahs, but can’t bring herself to hang them in the café’s new premises in the nearby suburb of Darlinghurst. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025 Traditionally, a mezuzah is hung outside of the home or a personal living space. — Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026 In honor of Auschwitz’s Jewish victims and to reclaim the house from its evil past and put it on the path of doing good, a mezuzah has been added to the front door. — Elliott Broidy, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025 But mezuzahs have been tolerated forever, and at Christmas time, wreaths are tolerated, okay? — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mezuzah

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew mĕzūzāh doorpost

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezuzah was in 1650

Browse Nearby Words

mezquit
mezuzah
mezza majolica
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mezuzah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezuzah. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mezuzah

noun
me·​zu·​zah
variants or mezuza
mə-ˈzu̇z-ə How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
plural mezuzahs or mezuzas or mezuzot -ˌōt How to pronounce mezuzah (audio)
: a small scroll of parchment inscribed with two passages from Deuteronomy and the name Shaddai (the Almighty) and placed in a case that is attached to the doorjamb by some Jewish families as a sign and reminder of their faith
also : such a scroll and case

More from Merriam-Webster on mezuzah

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mezuzah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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