mikvah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Religious / Technical
Quick answer
What does “mikvah” mean?
A bath used for ritual immersion and purification in Judaism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bath used for ritual immersion and purification in Judaism.
The body of water (pool) itself, or the building housing it, that conforms to specific Jewish legal requirements (halakha) for water source, volume, and construction, used for spiritual purification by men and women at prescribed times.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may follow local norms for Hebrew/Yiddish loanwords.
Connotations
Identical religious and cultural connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, used almost exclusively within Jewish communities or academic/religious discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “mikvah” in a Sentence
[Subject] uses/attends/immerses in the mikvah.The mikvah is located/constructed/maintained [prepositional phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mikvah” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will mikvah before the wedding, as is customary.
- Converts are required to mikvah as part of the process.
American English
- She plans to mikvah before the holiday.
- After the renovation, the community could finally mikvah again.
adjective
British English
- The mikvah experience was profound.
- They discussed mikvah regulations in detail.
American English
- The mikvah preparation room was newly renovated.
- He is knowledgeable about mikvah construction standards.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, and history texts discussing Jewish law and practice.
Everyday
Rare outside of Jewish religious communities. Used in discussions of religious observance, conversion, or lifecycle events.
Technical
A precise term in Jewish law (halakha) with specific requirements for construction and water source (e.g., mayim chayim - living water).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mikvah”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mikvah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mikvah”
- Misspelling as 'mikveh' (a common alternate transliteration) or 'mikva'.
- Using it to refer to a regular swimming pool or spa.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'k' followed by a 'vah' as in 'car' (it's a softer, unified syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both involve immersion in water, a mikvah is used for multiple ritual purifications throughout a Jewish person's life according to specific laws, not a one-time initiation sacrament.
Yes. While often associated with women's monthly cycle (niddah), men also use the mikvah for spiritual purification, commonly before Shabbat or Jewish holidays, and it is mandatory for converts of both genders.
No. A key requirement is that most of the water must be 'living water' (mayim chayim) like rainwater or spring water, and it is not drained and refilled for each use. It is filtered and maintained, but the original water remains.
No. 'Mikveh' (מִקְוֶה) is the standard Hebrew transliteration. 'Mikvah' is a common Anglicized spelling based on Ashkenazi pronunciation. Both are widely accepted.
A bath used for ritual immersion and purification in Judaism.
Mikvah is usually formal / religious / technical in register.
Mikvah: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪk.və/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪk.və/ or /mɪkˈvɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MICK-vah keeps you kosher in the water.' Links the sound to the concept of ritual purity.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURIFICATION IS IMMERSION / SPIRITUAL RENEWAL IS PHYSICAL CLEANSING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a mikvah?