hezbollah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, journalistic, academic, political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “hezbollah” mean?
A major political and military organization in Lebanon, founded in the 1980s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major political and military organization in Lebanon, founded in the 1980s.
A Shia Islamist group and political party based in Lebanon, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and the Arab League. It functions as a state-within-a-state, providing social services and maintaining a significant armed wing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences.
Connotations
Both regions primarily view it through a lens of security, terrorism, and regional power dynamics. Connotations are highly dependent on the political stance of the speaker or publication.
Frequency
Frequency is similar in both varieties, rising sharply during periods of regional conflict. It is a term more common in news and analysis than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “hezbollah” in a Sentence
[Subject] supports/opposes/designates Hezbollah.Hezbollah [verb] launched/denounced/controls.Hezbollah's [noun] leader/arsenal/infrastructure.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hezbollah” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - Proper noun
American English
- N/A - Proper noun
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A - Not standardly adjectival. 'Hezbollah-linked' is a compound modifier.
American English
- N/A - Not standardly adjectival. 'Hezbollah-affiliated' is a compound modifier.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in risk analysis (e.g., 'The report highlights risks from Hezbollah's activities in the region.')
Academic
Common in political science, Middle Eastern studies, and international relations texts.
Everyday
Limited to discussion of international news and current events.
Technical
Used in intelligence, military, and diplomatic contexts with precise operational or legal definitions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hezbollah”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hezbollah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hezbollah”
- Misspelling: 'Hesbollah', 'Hezbullah', 'Hizbollah'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a hezbollah' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with Hamas (a Palestinian Sunni Islamist group).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an Arabic phrase (حزب الله) meaning 'Party of God'.
No, it is a complex organization with a political party that holds seats in parliament, a vast social services network (hospitals, schools), and a powerful armed wing.
It is controversial because many Western and Sunni Arab states designate its military wing or the entire organization as terrorist, while its supporters view it as a legitimate resistance movement against Israel and a protector of Shia interests.
Hezbollah is widely considered a close ally and proxy of Iran, receiving significant financial, military, and ideological support from Tehran since its founding.
A major political and military organization in Lebanon, founded in the 1980s.
Hezbollah is usually formal, journalistic, academic, political discourse. in register.
Hezbollah: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɛzbəˈlɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛzbəˈlɑː/ or /ˌhɛzboʊˈlɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; it is referenced in geopolitical idioms like 'a proxy of Iran' or 'a state within a state'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Hez-bol-lah: 'Hez' sounds like 'has', 'bol' like 'ball', 'lah' like 'la'. Imagine a group that 'has a ball' (power/influence) in Lebanon.
Conceptual Metaphor
Hezbollah is a SHIELD (for its community), a SWORD (against Israel), a SHADOW STATE (within Lebanon).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is Hezbollah most accurately described as?