What does kibbutzim mean?
Kibbutzim are collective agricultural settlements in Israel whose organization has traditionally emphasized shared labor, communal resources, and common ownership. Most kibbutzim were established by Jewish immigrants during the early agricultural development of Palestine, and many remain associated with agriculture, tourism, and distinctive communal institutions, although their economies and social structures have changed considerably over time. The word is most familiar in the plural because kibbutz is the usual singular form. In general discussion, kibbutzim can also symbolize the principle of organizing work and property collectively, especially in debates about socialism, communal living, and economic equality. The term is historically significant because kibbutzim played an important role in the formation of Israeli society and agriculture, although it should not be treated as a synonym for every modern agricultural cooperative.
plural nounKibbutzim are collective agricultural settlements in Israel, traditionally characterized by shared work, communal property, and common facilities. The singular form is kibbutz.
- Collective agricultural settlements in Israel, especially those founded by Jewish agricultural settlers and organized around shared ownership and labor.
"Several kibbutzim along the coast grow dates and olives."
"The kibbutzim welcome visitors who want to experience life in a rural Israeli community."
"The museum documents how kibbutzim contributed to the development of modern Israeli agriculture."
Kibbutzim is the standard plural of kibbutz, with the final syllable pronounced /ɪm/.
"Many kibbutzim sell agricultural products directly to visitors."
Kibbutzim transformed the landscape of Palestine through a radical experiment in shared labor, communal ownership, and agricultural self-sufficiency.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kibbutzim come from?
The word comes from Hebrew qibbūṣ, meaning “gathering” or “collection,” referring to the principle of joining together in a shared community. English borrowed it in connection with Jewish agricultural settlement movements in Palestine during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The form kibbutz is the Hebrew-derived singular, and kibbutzim is the established English plural.
Related word forms
How kibbutzim is actually used
The standard plural is kibbutzim, with the final syllable pronounced /ɪm/. Outside discussions of Israel or Jewish history, the term may be used more broadly to refer to ideals of communal ownership, collective work, or egalitarian rural life.
Easily confused with kibbutzim
Kibbutz is the singular form, while kibbutzim refers to multiple settlements.