Talmud

noun

Tal·​mud ˈtäl-ˌmu̇d How to pronounce Talmud (audio) ˈtal-məd How to pronounce Talmud (audio)
: the authoritative body of Jewish tradition comprising the Mishnah and Gemara
Talmudic
tal-ˈmü-dik How to pronounce Talmud (audio)
-ˈmyü-, 
-ˈmə-;
täl-ˈmu̇-
adjective
talmudism
ˈtäl-ˌmu̇-ˌdi-zəm How to pronounce Talmud (audio)
ˈtal-, 
-mə-
noun
often Talmudic

Examples of Talmud 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.
Noah is constantly making sermons or toasts cribbed from Talmud for Netflix Subscribers. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 The Geonim secured the Babylonian Talmud as the central canonical work of rabbinic literature. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025 The Jewish Talmud refers to sleep as 1/60th of death. — David Litt, Time, 28 July 2025 What if, as Kagan asked, a Hasidic community wants its charter yeshiva to be free to teach Talmud without having to comply with curriculum requirements imposed on other charters? — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Talmud

Word History

Etymology

Late Hebrew talmūdh, literally, instruction

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Talmud was in 1532

Phrases Containing Talmud

Browse Nearby Words

talmouse
Talmud
talmudism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

Talmud

noun
Tal·​mud ˈtäl-ˌmu̇d How to pronounce Talmud (audio) ˈtal-məd How to pronounce Talmud (audio)
: the writings that declare Jewish law and tradition
Talmudic
tal-ˈmüd-ik How to pronounce Talmud (audio)
-ˈmyüd-, 
-ˈməd-, 
täl-ˈmu̇d-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Talmud

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Talmud

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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