A rabbi is a Jewish religious leader, usually one who is in charge of a synagogue, one who is qualified to teach Judaism, or one who is an expert on Jewish law.
rabbi in British English
(ˈræbaɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-bis
1.
(in Orthodox Judaism) a man qualified in accordance with traditional religious law to expound, teach, and rule in accordance with this law
2.
the religious leader of a congregation; the minister of a synagogue
3. the Rabbis
See also Rav
Word origin
Hebrew, from rabh master + -ī my
rabbi in American English
(ˈræbaɪ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈrabbis
1. Judaism
a scholar and teacher of the Jewish law; now, specif., an ordained Jew, usually the spiritual head of a congregation, qualified to decide questions of law and ritual and to perform marriages, supervise religious education, etc.
2. Slang
a sponsor; influential friend
Word origin
ME < OE < LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) rhabbi < Heb rabi, my master, my lord < rav, teacher, master + -i, my
Examples of 'rabbi' in a sentence
rabbi
The street runs below the offices of a chief rabbi.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The idea of a chief rabbi or a senior rabbi is virtually unknown there.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Is it a book that could have been written while he was chief rabbi?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She turned to the other side, but it was the chief rabbi.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
One of his grandfathers was an Orthodox rabbi.
Christianity Today (2000)
Not all Orthodox rabbis are against these women.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The cast includes two warring billionaires, a chief rabbi and the head of an African army.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Previous chief rabbis refused to attend because Reform and other Progressive rabbis were giving lectures.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A few weeks ago, the French ambassador invited the rabbi and his synagogue officials to meet him to discuss what is happening.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
rabbi
British English: rabbi /ˈræbaɪ/ NOUN
A rabbi is a Jewish religious leader, usually one who is in charge of a synagogue, one who is qualified to teach Judaism, or one who is an expert on Jewish law.