diaspora

[ dahy-as-per-uh, dee- ]

noun

1. Usually Diaspora. the scattering of the Jews to countries outside of ancient Palestine after the Babylonian captivity.
2. Often Diaspora.
   1. the body of Jews living in countries outside Israel.
   2. such countries collectively:

      Passover is celebrated for seven days in Israel, but for eight days by Jews living in the Diaspora.

3. Often Diaspora. any group that has been dispersed outside its traditional homeland, especially involuntarily, as Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
4. any group migration or flight from a country or region.

   Synonyms: scattering, displacement, migration, dissemination, dispersion

   Antonyms: return

5. any religious group living as a minority among people of the prevailing religion.
6. the spread or dissemination of something originally confined to a local, homogeneous group, as a language or cultural institution:

   the diaspora of English as a global language.

Diaspora

/ daɪˈæspərə /

noun

1. 1. the dispersion of the Jews after the Babylonian and Roman conquests of Palestine
   2. the Jewish communities outside Israel
   3. the Jews living outside Israel
   4. the extent of Jewish settlement outside Israel
2. (in the New Testament) the body of Christians living outside Palestine
3. often not capital a dispersion or spreading, as of people originally belonging to one nation or having a common culture
4. the descendants of Sub-Saharan African peoples living anywhere in the Western hemisphere

Other Words From

• di·as·po·ric [dahy-, uh, -, spawr, -ik, ‑-, spor, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaspora¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Greek diasporá “scattering, dispersion”; dia-, spore

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaspora¹

C19: from Greek: a scattering, from diaspeirein to disperse, from dia- + speirein to scatter, sow; see spore

Example Sentences

Her ongoing series, “Diaspora Dialogues,” has consistently used fashion as a medium to explore these topics — as has much of Herrera’s work; she went to fashion school and started her career in the fashion industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs organized and paid for a digital campaign to influence U.S. lawmakers, especially Democrats who are Black, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

From Salon

The covert campaign was commissioned by Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, a government body that connects Jews around the world with the State of Israel, four Israeli officials said.

From New York Times

As for meaning through dance, a section called “Diaspora” has the strongest choreographic idea.

From New York Times

“My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora” is the first cookbook from New York Times columnist Yewande Komolafe, written with the deftness of a seasoned pro.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exodus