shavuot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Religious
Quick answer
What does “shavuot” mean?
A major Jewish festival occurring on the sixth day of Sivan, fifty days after the second day of Passover, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major Jewish festival occurring on the sixth day of Sivan, fifty days after the second day of Passover, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Also known as the Feast of Weeks; a harvest festival historically marking the end of the barley and beginning of the wheat harvest, which has evolved into a celebration of Torah, learning, and the early summer harvest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. American English may more commonly use the Yiddish-influenced pronunciation /ʃəˈvuːəs/.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: religious observance, Jewish heritage, spring harvest.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse but standard in relevant religious and cultural contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “shavuot” in a Sentence
We [celebrate/observe] Shavuot.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shavuot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Shavuot liturgy is beautiful.
- We prepared a Shavuot-themed lesson.
American English
- The Shavuos services start tonight.
- She made a special Shavuos cheesecake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and cultural history papers discussing Jewish festivals.
Everyday
Used in conversations within Jewish communities or when discussing religious calendars.
Technical
Used in liturgical calendars, interfaith dialogues, and religious education materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shavuot”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shavuot”
- Incorrect spelling: Shavout, Shavuoth, Shavous (though the last is a recognized variant).
- Mispronouncing as /ˈʃævjuːɒt/ with a /j/ sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They share the same etymology ('fiftieth day') but are different holidays. Shavuot is a Jewish festival; Pentecost is a Christian holiday that occurs on the same calendar date but celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Several explanations exist: a metaphor for the Torah being as nourishing as milk and honey; a practical reason as the laws of kosher meat were not yet known at Sinai; or because the Hebrew word for milk ('chalav') has a numerical value of forty, linking to Moses's forty days on Sinai.
In Israel, it is a one-day festival. In the Jewish diaspora, it is traditionally observed for two days.
It is a custom of staying up all night on the first night of Shavuot to study Jewish texts, in preparation for the 're-acceptance' of the Torah.
A major Jewish festival occurring on the sixth day of Sivan, fifty days after the second day of Passover, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Shavuot is usually formal / religious in register.
Shavuot: in British English it is pronounced /ʃæˈvuːɒt/, /ʃəˈvuːɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɑːvuˈoʊt/, /ʃəˈvuːəs/ (Ashkenazi/English), /ʃəvuˈɒt/ (Sephardi/Hebrew). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHAll we VOTE on the Torah?' – linking to the communal acceptance of the Torah at Shavuot.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TIME IS A HARVEST (for spiritual or intellectual fruits); TORAH IS FOOD (nourishment for the soul, linked to dairy consumption).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical event commemorated by Shavuot?