1. A ritual bath in Jewish tradition used for purification purposes, especially by women after menstruation and before marriage, and by men before certain religious observances.
Usage: Also spelled mikvah or mikveh; From Hebrew; Religious/cultural term

Examples

• The synagogue has a mikva available for members who wish to observe the traditional purification ritual.
• She visited the mikva as part of her wedding preparations.
• The mikva is an important part of Jewish religious practice and law.
• Many Orthodox Jewish communities maintain a mikva for communal use.
• The temperature of the mikva water is carefully regulated according to religious guidelines.