Maccabees

plural noun

Mac·​ca·​bees ˈma-kə-(ˌ)bēz How to pronounce Maccabees (audio)
1
: a priestly family leading a Jewish revolt begun in 168 b.c. against Hellenism and Syrian rule and reigning over Palestine from 142 b.c. to 63 b.c.
2
singular in construction : either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see Bible Table
Maccabean
ˌma-kə-ˈbē-ən How to pronounce Maccabees (audio)
adjective

Examples of Maccabees in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The holiday is deeply rooted in Jewish history, going back to 164 B.C.E. when a small militia of Jews called the Maccabees won a battle against the dominant Syrian-Greek military. — Philip Pacheco, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Historically, Jews lit the menorah to celebrate the ancient victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek army some 2,100 years ago, but up until half a century ago, Jews kept their celebrations of Chanukah private, confined to their homes and synagogues. — Yanky Baron, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek Makkabaioi, from plural of Makkabaios, surname of Judas Maccabaeus 2nd century b.c. Jewish patriot

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Maccabees was in 1702

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“Maccabees.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maccabees. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Maccabees

noun
Mac·​ca·​bees ˈmak-ə-bēz How to pronounce Maccabees (audio)
: either of two narrative and historical books included in the Roman Catholic canon of the Old Testament and in the Protestant Apocrypha see bible

Biographical Definition

Maccabees

biographical name

Mac·​ca·​bees ˈma-kə-ˌbēz How to pronounce Maccabees (audio)
Judas or Judah died 161 b.c. surname Maccabaeus ˌma-kə-ˈbē-əs How to pronounce Maccabees (audio) Jewish patriot

More from Merriam-Webster on Maccabees

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Maccabees

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