Palestine

American  

[pal-uh-stahyn, pal-uh-steen] / ˈpæl əˌstaɪn, ˈpæl əˌstin /

noun

1. Biblical Name Canaan.  Also called Holy Land.  an ancient country in southwest Asia, on the east coast of the Mediterranean.

2. a disputed region made up of parts of an ancient country in southwest Asia, especially the Gaza Strip and the West Bank: a British mandate from 1923 to 1948; divided between Israel, Jordan, and Egypt in 1948; Jordanian and Egyptian parts occupied by Israel in 1967, with limited Palestinian self-administration beginning in 1994.

3. a city in eastern Texas.

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Palestine British  

/ ˈpælɪˌstaɪn /

noun

1. Also called: the Holy Land.   Canaan.  the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea in which most of the biblical narrative is located

2. the province of the Roman Empire in this region

3. the former British mandatory territory created by the League of Nations in 1922 (but effective from 1920), and including all of the present territories of Israel and Jordan between whom it was partitioned by the UN in 1948

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Palestine Cultural  

1. Historic region on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, comprising parts of modern Israel, Jordan, and Egypt (see also Egypt).

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Known as the Holy Land, it is a place of pilgrimage for several religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Israel, the homeland of the Jews (see also Jews), was established in Palestine in 1948. The Palestine Liberation Organization, under Yasir Arafat, is committed to establishing a Palestinian state, which would include territory on the West Bank and Gaza Strip now partially occupied by Israel. (See Arab-Israeli conflict , intifada , Oslo Accord , Palestinian Authority .)

Etymology

Origin of Palestine

First recorded in 1540–60; from Latin Pal(a)estīna, Palaestīnē, from Greek Palaistī́nē; perhaps through Aramaic pəlishtāʾin (plural) “Philistines,” from Hebrew pĕlishtīm; see philistine ( def. )

Example Sentences

A judge has put on hold all trials of people charged with supporting Palestine Action, scheduling a blanket review of cases for July 30.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Eighteen people have been arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action after a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

A convoy of Syrian army vehicles leaves Beirut, on Aug. 30, 1982, as more than 10,000 fighters from the Palestine Liberation Organization evacuate from the city.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The Metropolitan Police has said it will resume arresting protesters for supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

I walked and worked, worked and walked, me and Victory, fifteen miles to Palestine.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison