Samuel

American  

[sam-yoo-uhl] / ˈsæm yu əl /

noun

1. a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.

2. either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.

3. a male given name.

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Samuel British  

/ ˈsæmjʊəl /

noun

1. a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)

2. either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel

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Etymology

Origin of Samuel

From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”

Example Sentences

Jackson’s speech was in some ways reminiscent of—and provided a counterpoint to—a speech that Justice Samuel Alito gave in 2021 defending the court’s use of the emergency docket.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

She is out of the door with her son Samuel at 07:30 to drop him off at the breakfast club at his primary school.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Samuel Brannan proclaimed in 1848, trotting a bottle of gold dust around San Francisco and effectively kicking off the Gold Rush.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

When one man, Samuel Bateman, transforms himself from a schlubby loser to a new cult leader, Marie realizes he’s a predator and goes undercover, befriending him to bring him down.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

I grabbed the teapot and swallowed a few gulps of water before passing it on to Yossel and Samuel.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson