What does "jerusalem" mean?
A city in the Holy Land between the Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea, holy in Judaism, Christianity and Islam; the claimed capital city of both Israel and Palestine.
Jerusalem
/d͡ʒəˈɹuːsələm/ name
name ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A city in the Holy Land between the Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea, holy in Judaism, Christianity and Islam; the claimed capital city of both Israel and Palestine.
- Grammar: jerusalem is listed as name.
- Nearest alternatives: capital city, eternal city, heavenly city, holy city.
- Useful contrasts: countryside, earthly city, profane city.
- Usage evidence: Now, this is John's testimony: Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
How to use "jerusalem"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jerusalem" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jerusalem" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jerusalem" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jerusalem" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jerusalem" is acting as name in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "capital city" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jerusalem", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Proper Noun
- 1 A city in the Holy Land between the Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea, holy in Judaism, Christianity and Islam; the claimed capital city of both Israel and Palestine. countable, uncountable
"A Palestinian man rammed a mechanical digger into several cars and a bus in the centre of Jerusalem yesterday in the second such attack this month and injured 16 people before he was shot dead at the wheel."
- 2 A poem by William Blake, used as an unofficial national anthem in England. countable, uncountable
- 3 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; A census-designated place in Conway County, Arkansas. countable, uncountable
- 4 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Harford County, Maryland. countable, uncountable
- 5 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Lima Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan. countable, uncountable
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; A town in Yates County, New York. countable, uncountable
- 7 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; A township in Lucas County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
- 8 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; A village in Monroe County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
- 9 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; An unincorporated community in the town of Narragansett, Washington County, Rhode Island. countable, uncountable
- 10 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A place in the United States:; Former name of Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia. countable, uncountable
- 11 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A suburban area in Skellingthorpe parish, North Kesteven district, Lincolnshire, England (OS grid ref TF9171). countable, uncountable
- 12 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; A settlement in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, New Zealand, also known as Hiruharama, the Māori name. countable, uncountable
- 13 A number of places elsewhere, usually named after the city in the Holy Land:; Synonym of Hiruharama, Gisborne District, New Zealand. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Now, this is John's testimony: Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jerusalem"?
Common synonyms include: capital city, eternal city, heavenly city, holy city, sacred city, salem.
How do you use "jerusalem" in a sentence?
Now, this is John's testimony: Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
How do you pronounce "jerusalem"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒəˈɹuːsələm/.
Etymology
From Old English Hierusalem or Old French Jherusalem or Late Latin Ierusalem, Hierusalem, from Latin Hierosolyma, from Ancient Greek Ἰερουσαλήμ (Ierousalḗm), from Biblical Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Yərūšālayim).