Talmud

noun

: 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 noun often capitalized

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.
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 Leaders of the two schools, Yeshiva Talmud Torah of Kasho and Yeshiva Bnei Shimon Yisroel of Sopron, refused to meet with state education officials to work on an improvement plan, according to the State Education Department. James Barron, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 But the leaders of the two schools, Yeshiva Talmud Torah of Kasho and Yeshiva Bnei Shimon Yisroel of Sopron, which are housed in three locations in Williamsburg, refused even to meet with education officials to work on an improvement plan. Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 The schools are two locations of Yeshiva Bnei Shimon Yisroel of Sopron, and Talmud Torah of Kasho, the Education Department confirmed. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025 One group met over breakfast each morning to study a page of Talmud. Yonat Shimron, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 As the Book of Life and Death is open, one wraps in white, believing and knowing the outcome will be good (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:3). Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 7 Oct. 2024

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

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Cite this Entry

“Talmud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Talmud. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

Talmud

noun
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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