shekel

[ shek-uhl ]

noun

1. Also sheq·el. a paper money, cupronickel or silver coin, and monetary unit of Israel equal to 100 agorot: replaced the pound in 1980.
2. an ancient, originally Babylonian, unit of weight, of varying value, taken as equal to the fiftieth or the sixtieth part of a mina or to about a quarter to half an ounce.
3. a coin of this weight, especially the chief silver coin of the ancient Hebrews.
4. shekels, Slang. money; cash.

shekel

/ ˈʃɛkəl /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of modern Israel, divided into 100 agorot
2. any of several former coins and units of weight of the Near East
3. informal.
   often plural any coin or money

Word History and Origins

Origin of shekel¹

First recorded in 1550–60, shekel is from the Hebrew word sheqel

Word History and Origins

Origin of shekel¹

C16: from Hebrew sheqel

Example Sentences

The BBC has also uncovered two documents revealing that another key settler organisation - Amana - loaned hundreds of thousands of shekels to help establish outposts.

From BBC

"It's a lot of money in Gaza because they have no work. And if you have work not with Hamas, it's no more than 20 shekels for a day," she said.

From BBC

“Once I got four kilos of dried dates and sold a kilo for 8 shekels,” he said, referring to the Israeli currency amounting to roughly $2.

From New York Times

The most forward-looking components, such as a new currency to replace the Israeli shekel, assume the establishment of Palestinian autonomy, which Netanyahu has vowed to resist.

From New York Times

Another room had a safe with plastic storage bags filled with shekels and dollars.

From Seattle Times