Jerusalem

geographical name

Je·​ru·​sa·​lem jə-ˈrü-s(ə-)ləm How to pronounce Jerusalem (audio)
-ˈrü-z(ə-)ləm
variants or Arabic Al-Quds or Hebrew Yerushalayim or ancient Hierosolyma or biblical Jebus
city in southwestern Asia northwest of the Dead Sea; divided 1948–67 between Jordan (old city) and Israel (new city); capital of Israel since 1950 and formerly the capital of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah; old city under Israeli control since 1967 population 765,000

Note: Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Jerusalemite noun

Dictionary Entries Near Jerusalem

Cite this Entry

“Jerusalem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Jerusalem. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Jerusalem

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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