Zionist, n. & adj.

zionist
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zionist_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# Zionistnoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- Zionist in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word Zionist mean?

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Zionist, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Zionist has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

religion (mid 1600s) Christianity (1890s)

### How common is the word Zionist?

About 6occurrences per million words in modern written English

1800 | 0.0007
1810 | 0.0008
1820 | 0.0006
1830 | 0.0005
1840 | 0.0005
1850 | 0.0007
1860 | 0.001
1870 | 0.0013
1880 | 0.016
1890 | 0.072
1900 | 0.38
1910 | 0.93
1920 | 1.9
1930 | 3.4
1940 | 4.8
1950 | 6.0
1960 | 7.1
1970 | 7.3
1980 | 6.9
1990 | 5.6
2000 | 4.8
2010 | 4.6

### How is the word Zionist pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzʌɪənɪst/
ZIGH-uh-nist

#### U.S. English

/ˈzaɪənəst/
ZIGH-uh-nuhst

### Where does the word Zionist come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1600s

The earliest known use of the word Zionist is in the mid 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zionist is from before 1649, in the writing of George Abbott, writer and politician.

Zionist is of multiple origins. Partly formed within English, by derivation; partly modelled on a German lexical item. Partly from a proper name, combined with an English element.

Etymons: Zion n., ‑ist suffix; proper name Zion, ‑ist suffix.

### Nearby entries

1. zinnia, n. 1761–
2. zinnober green, n. 1879–
3. zinnwaldite, n. 1850–
4. zino, n. 1982–
5. Zinovievite, adj. & n. 1936–
6. Zinoviev letter, n. 1924–
7. Zion, n. Old English–
8. Zion Curtain, n. 1951–
9. Zioner, n. 1681–1760
10. Zionism, n. 1896–
11. Zionist, n. & adj.a1649–
12. Zionistic, adj. 1887–
13. Zionite, n. 1596–
14. Zionless, adj. 1908
15. Zionward, adv. 1647–
16. Zionwards, adv. 1674–
17. zip, n.² & adj. 1900–
18. zip, n.³ 1962–
19. zip, n.⁴ 1968–
20. zip, v.¹ 1852–
21. zip, v.² 1964–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly formed within English, by derivation; partly modelled on a German lexical item. Partly from a proper name, combined with an English element.
Etymons: Zion n., ‑ist suffix; proper name Zion, ‑ist suffix.
In sense A.1 < Zion n. + ‑ist suffix.

In sense A.2 < Zion n. + ‑ist suffix, after German Zionist (N. Birnbaum 1890, in Selbst-Emancipation 3 Oct. 6/3). Compare Zionism n. and the etymological note at that entry.

In sense A.3 <…
In sense A.1 < Zion n. + ‑ist suffix.

In sense A.2 < Zion n. + ‑ist suffix, after German Zionist (N. Birnbaum 1890, in Selbst-Emancipation 3 Oct. 6/3). Compare Zionism n. and the etymological note at that entry.

In sense A.3 < the name of Zion, Illinois + ‑ist suffix; the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion, Illinois, significantly influenced the development of this religious movement in South Africa in the early 1900s.

### Notes

With sense A.1 compare earlier Zionite n. 1.
With sense A.2 compare Zionistic adj.

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1.
      a1649–1863
      † A member of a religious group believing in an idealized society or Zion (Zion n. 2a). Cf. Zionite n. 1. Obsolete. rare.
      In quot. a1649 denoting Christians, with reference to Psalm 87. In quot. 1863 denoting the name of a Protestant or Nonconformist sect.
      1. a1649

         > Setting forth the glorious priviledges of Sion proph[e]sied of old, but not yet fulfilled, saving in their shadows, which shortly would be accomplished in substance, when all nations should be ambitious to be Sionists, for the Church it selfe should bear that name.

         G. Abbott, Brief Notes Psalms (1651) lxxxvii. 396
      2. 1863

         > Independents, Baptists, Ranters, Unitarians, Methodists, Milleniumists, Southcotists, Zionists, and all the other sections into which Christianity is split up can keep open their respective tabernacles without state aid.

         Preston Chron. & Lancashire Advertiser 19 December 6/3
      religion
   2. 2.
      1891–
      Originally: an advocate or supporter of a movement among Jewish people for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine. Later: an advocate or supporter of the development and protection of the state of Israel. Cf. Zionism n. 1.
      1. 1891

         > At the meeting of zionists the speakers declared that facts were known which justified the action of the European governments.

         Los Angeles Times 30 May 1
      2. 1900

         > We Zionists labor to turn their eyes to the east, to the land of their national birth..where anti-Semitism can be changed into pro-Semitism.

         Chicago Tribune 7 January 34/4
      3. 1971

         > My biography is similar to those of so many other Jewish people from Lithuania: to kheyder at the age of five, had a good head for learning, was religious, then became an unbeliever and later a Zionist.

         I. Metzker & D. L. Levy, translation of Bintel Brief 131
      4. 2015

         > Naftali Bennett's Jewish Home Party is explicitly advocating a closer alliance between religious and secular Zionists.

         Commentary November 35/1
      1. Zionist 1891–
         Originally: an advocate or supporter of a movement among Jewish people for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine. Later: an…
      2. Zionite 1895–1922
         An advocate or supporter of a movement among Jewish people for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine. Cf. Zionist, n. A.2. Obsolete…
      3. territorialist 1905–
         Chiefly with capital initial. A supporter or advocate of territorialism (territorialism, n. 6). Cf. Zionist, n. A.2. Now historical.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1948–
      A member of any of a group of independent churches in southern Africa which practise a form of Christianity similar to that of Pentecostal churches but incorporating elements of African traditional worship and belief.
      1. 1948

         > Theologically the Zionists are now a syncretistic Bantu movement with healing, speaking with tongues, purification rites, and taboos as the main expressions of their faith.

         B. G. M. Sundkler, Bantu Prophets in South Africa ii. 55
      2. 1977

         > Some aspects of the old Soweto still exist: the neatly kept gardens of middle-class black homes;..the Zionists, an Africanized Christian sect, famous for their daylong religious dances that begin at prayer services in backyard tents on Saturday nights.

         Time 27 June 18/3
      3. 2014

         > An indication of the external similarity of Isaiah's new church with the Zionist movement is the fact that, on more than one occasion, the government mistook Nazaretha believers for Zionists.

         J. Cabrita, Text & Authority in South Afr. Nazaretha Church iii. 98
      Christianity
      1. Zionist 1948–
         A member of any of a group of independent churches in southern Africa which practise a form of Christianity similar to that of Pentecostal…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. adjective
   1. 1896–
      Of or relating to Zionism (Zionism n. 1); designating a Zionist (sense A.2).
      1. 1896

         > The emigration and Zionist societies.

         Jewish Chronicle 17 January 12/2
      2. 1923

         > It will be seen from this how far right the Zionist leaders, Dr. Weizmann and Mr. Sokolow in particular, were in the estimate they put upon that Statement.

         Jewish Chronicle 19 January 5/1
      3. 1967

         > He had become involved in Zionist activities and was always attending meetings where he spoke about the importance of Palestine as a Jewish homeland.

         C. Potok, Chosen xiii. 213
      4. 2018

         > Although the Zionist movement was founded in the 19th century, the state of Israel was born following the Holocaust.

         Western Mail (Cardiff) (National edition) (Nexis) 22 November
      Christianity
      1. pan-Slavic 1848–
         Of, relating to, or involving all Slavs or Slavonic-speaking peoples; of, relating to, or advocating pan-Slavism.
      2. pan-Slavistic 1848–
         = pan-Slavic, adj.
      3. pan-Slavonic 1848–
         = pan-Slavic, adj.
      4. Panhellenist 1850–
         Of or relating to a Panhellenist; characterized by Panhellenism.
      5. pan-Arab 1881–
         Of, relating to, representing, or involving all Arab peoples or states, or all speakers of Arabic; advocating pan-Arabism.
      6. pan-Arabic 1881–
         = pan-Arab, adj.
      7. pan-Africander 1884–
         Of or relating to all Afrikaners; of, relating to, or designating a government or state which would include all South Africans of Dutch descent or…
      8. Zionistic 1894–
         Relating to or advocating Zionism (Zionism, n. 1); = Zionist, adj.
      9. Zionist 1896–
         Of or relating to Zionism (Zionism, n. 1); designating a Zionist (sense A.2).
      10. pan-Germanistic 1903–
          Of, relating to, or advocating of pan-Germanism.
      11. Africanistic 1904–
          Of, relating to, or characteristic of Africa or Africans; spec. of or relating to Africanism.
      12. Arab nationalist 1913–
          a. n. An adherent or advocate of Arab nationalism; b. adj. of or relating to Arab nationalism.
      13. pan-Germanist 1916–
          Of, relating to, or characterized by pan-Germanism.
      14. Ottomanizing 1917–
      15. Yiddishist 1920–
          Of or relating to Yiddishism or Yiddishists; advocating or promoting Yiddish culture or language.
      16. pan-Arabist 1956–
          Advocating pan-Arabism; sympathetic to the views of pan-Arabists. Cf. pan-Arab, adj.
      17. Arabist 1957–
          Of or relating to Arab nationalism; pan-Arabist; (also) supporting Arab interests or causes, pro-Arab.
      18. pan-Africanist 1957–
          Of, relating to, or advocating pan-Africanism.
      19. Africanist 1958–
          Of, relating to, or characterized by African nationalism; espousing Africanism.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. Zionist 1896–
         Of or relating to Zionism (Zionism, n. 1); designating a Zionist (sense A.2).
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzʌɪənɪst/
ZIGH-uh-nist

### U.S. English

/ˈzaɪənəst/
ZIGH-uh-nuhst

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1800s–
   Zionist
2. 1900s
   Sionist

## Frequency

Zionist typically occurs about six times per million words in modern written English.

Zionist is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of Zionist, n. & adj., 1800–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1800 | 0.0007
1810 | 0.0008
1820 | 0.0006
1830 | 0.0005
1840 | 0.0005
1850 | 0.0007
1860 | 0.001
1870 | 0.0013
1880 | 0.016
1890 | 0.072
1900 | 0.38
1910 | 0.93
1920 | 1.9
1930 | 3.4
1940 | 4.8
1950 | 6.0
1960 | 7.1
1970 | 7.3
1980 | 6.9
1990 | 5.6
2000 | 4.8
2010 | 4.6

### Frequency of Zionist, n. & adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.53
2018 | 0.49
2019 | 0.47
2020 | 0.42
2021 | 0.46
2022 | 0.58
2023 | 0.64
2024 | 0.72

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. anti-Zionist, adj. & n. 1897–
   Opposed to Zionism (Zionism, n. 1).

1. philo-Zionist, n. & adj. 1897–

1. pro-Zionist, adj. & n. 1920–

1. Revisionist Zionist, n. 1947–
   An advocate of the radical Zionism of the…

Zionist, n. & adj. was revised in March 2021.

Zionist, n. & adj. was last modified in September 2024.