variants or tzitzis or less commonly zizith
: the fringes or tassels worn on traditional or ceremonial garments by Jewish males as reminders of the commandments of Deuteronomy 22:12 and Numbers 15:37–41

Examples of tzitzit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite the heat, they were dressed in vests, white shirts and undershirts with tzitzit, or ritual fringes, and big smiles. David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024 The first care packages that were delivered to the camp contained extra large T-shirts, boxer shorts and tzitzit, the ritual undergarments worn by Orthodox Jewish men. Isabel Kershner Avishag Shaar-Yashuv, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2024 Last month, a Chabad House official said in a news release that the assailant ripped the victim’s tzitzit — a traditional Jewish garment — and had made antisemitic and anti-Israel slurs. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2023 Some wore a kippah and tzitzit, ritual fringes. Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA TODAY, 22 July 2021 Likewise, tzitzit and saris were more common than Fair Isle sweaters and red-and-green garb. Sonja Sharpstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2022 The tzitzit is a fringed garment worn by some religiously observant Jews. Dov Lieber, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ṣīṣīth

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tzitzit was in 1675

Dictionary Entries Near tzitzit

Cite this Entry

“Tzitzit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tzitzit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!