# exodus

/ˈɛksədəs/ (US) · /ˈɛksədəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exodus
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. biblical event

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

the story in the Bible about the Israelites leaving Egypt to find freedom.

For teachers: the departure of the Israelites from Egypt under Moses; also the name of the second book of the Old Testament.

- In school, we learned about the Exodus and how the people crossed the sea.
- Theological scholars often debate the exact historical timeline of the Exodus and its impact on the formation of early Israelite identity.

Usage: Capitalized as 'the Exodus' when referring to the specific historical or religious event.

Teaching tip: Remind students that when capitalized, it refers to a specific proper noun, whereas lowercase 'exodus' is a general noun.

## Examples

- The city saw a mass exodus of residents during the heatwave.
- The sudden increase in property taxes triggered an exodus of small business owners to the neighboring county.
- Economic instability in the capital led to a rural exodus, as thousands of young professionals returned to their family farms in search of a lower cost of living.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.