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A kibbutz is a communal settlement in Israel in which all wealth is held in common and profits are reinvested in the settlement. The first kibbutz was founded in 1909; currently there are about 270, with a total population exceeding 120,000. Adults live in private quarters, while children are generally housed and cared for as a group. Meals are prepared and eaten communally. Members have regular meetings to discuss business and to take votes on matters requiring decisions. Jobs may be assigned by rotation, by choice, or by skill.
Examples of kibbutz in a Sentence
Muktita Suhartono Lauren Decicca, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2023
Miran, a dual Hungarian-Israeli national, worked in the kibbutz as a gardener and massage therapist.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2023
In 1948, Jewish forces expelled Arab inhabitants from the area; Safwan’s village was demolished, and a kibbutz was later built at the site.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
Since its founding, the kibbutz has come to be known for its fostering of cutting-edge environmental initiatives, as well as its general desire to foster peaceful relations with its Gazan neighbors.
—Erielle Davidson, National Review, 6 Dec. 2023
Five bullet holes scarred the door of the safe room where her mother and father—both longtime peace activists and founding members of the kibbutz—sheltered for hours until Hamas militants broke through on Oct. 7 and took them hostage.
—Isabel Coles, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2023
Musk, who is under fire for amplifying antisemitic content on X, is meeting with Israeli officials and toured the Kfar Aza kibbutz where some of the worst violence occurred on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants broke through the country’s border barriers and attacked civilians.
—Marissa Newman, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2023
All three were both members of kibbutz Nir Oz, an Israeli village near the Gaza border; Zalmanovich was one of the kibbutz's founders.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2023
Weinstein and her husband Gad Haggai, 70, were kidnapped from their kibbutz on Oct. 7 while out on their morning walk.
—Anat Peled, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kibbutz.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Modern Hebrew qibbūṣ
1926, in the meaning defined above
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“Kibbutz.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kibbutz. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on kibbutz
Nglish: Translation of kibbutz for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of kibbutz for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kibbutz
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