Eid Definition & Meaning

American

Usage

Etymology

Examples

Eid American [eed] / id /

noun

1. either of two Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha.

Usage

What is Eid? Eid is a short name for two different major Islamic festivals that occur at different times—Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.Both are commonly referred to as Eid for short, and the greeting Eid Mubarak (roughly meaning “Happy Eid” or “Blessed Eid”) can be used for both.Eid al-FitrEid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset each day.Eid al-fitr begins the day after Ramadan ends. Its name means “festival of the breaking of the fast.” It is traditionally marked with a special meal—which for many Muslims is the first daytime meal they’ve eaten in a month.Along with the Eid al-Fitr feast, many Muslims observe the day by getting dressed up, decorating their homes, gathering with family and friends, attending services at their mosque, and making charitable donations.Eid al-Fitr is sometimes spelled Eid-ul-Fitr.Eid al-AdhaEid al-Adha is a four-day festival that commemorates the story of Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (Ishmael) when Allah commanded him to. When Ibrahim showed that he would obey, Allah provided a sheep for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead.For this reason, Eid al-Adha traditionally involves sacrificing a sheep or goat. The meat is then divided among family, friends, and those in need.Many Muslims observe the festival by dressing up, attending services at their mosque, gathering with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and making charitable donations.Eid al-Adha occurs on the last day of Hajj, a pilgrimage that Muslims are obligated to undertake once in their lives.Eid al-Adha can also be spelled ʾId al-Adha or Eid-ul-Adha. It is sometimes called Big Eid, the Festival of Sacrifice, and the Great Festival.

Etymology

Origin of Eid

First recorded in 1695–1700; from Arabic ʿīd “festival, feast,” from Aramaic ʿed “day of assembly, feast day, festival”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The demolition is a tragedy for all residents," Eid Shawar, who lives in the building, told AFP.

From Barron's

We actually met for the first time on Chaand Raat, that Eid street festival in Queens.

From Slate

The self-proclaimed socialist, who has been re-elected three times, forged an image that has become his trademark -- a progressive Muslim just as comfortable at a Pride march as he is at an Eid banquet.

From Barron's

The leader of the network was arrested during the operation, according to Eid.

From Barron's

In addition to the casts and crews, he credited the success of the series to veteran writing and producing teams headed by “Law & Order” showrunner Rick Eid and executive producer Peter Jankowski.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.