Brahman

¹ American  

[brah-muhn] / ˈbrɑ mən /

noun

Hinduism.

plural

Brahmans

1. Also a member of the highest, or priestly, class among the Hindus.

2. Also the impersonal supreme being, the primal source and ultimate goal of all beings, with which Atman, when enlightened, knows itself to be identical.

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Brahman ² American  

[brey-muhn, brah-] / ˈbreɪ mən, ˈbrɑ- /

noun

1. any of several breeds of Indian cattle, especially a grayish, heat-resistant American breed raised chiefly in the Gulf States.

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Brahman British  

/ brɑːˈmænɪk, ˈbrɑːmən /

noun

1. Also called (esp formerly): Brahmin.  (sometimes not capital) a member of the highest or priestly caste in the Hindu caste system

2. Hinduism the ultimate and impersonal divine reality of the universe, from which all being originates and to which it returns

3. another name for Brahma 1

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Other Word Forms

• Brahmanic adjective
• Brahmanical adjective
• non-Brahmanic adjective
• non-Brahmanical adjective

Etymology

Origin of Brahman¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Sanskrit brāhmaṇa Brahman ¹ ( for def. 1 ), brahman Brahman ¹ ( for def. 2 )

Origin of Brahman²

1935–40; special use of Brahman priest

Explanation

A member of the highest social class in Hinduism is a brahman. The earliest brahmans were priests. For centuries on the Indian subcontinent, being born a brahman meant occupying a prestigious place in society. There was also religious significance to being a member of this elite caste, since brahmans were considered to be spiritually pure. In fact, for much of India's history, only brahmans were allowed to read and study religious scriptures. Brahman comes from Sanskrit, in which it means "prayer" or "the universal soul."

Example Sentences

“I don’t know what happened to the 40 sheep, pigs and Brahman bull,” Deach said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

The supreme being from whom the universe emerged, Brahman, appears in the ancient sacred writings known as the Vedas without gender.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2022

At Waterloo and elsewhere, Brahman herds are growing and being readied for the journey north.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2022

But while Lakshmi had strong ties to her Tamil Brahman family, she wasn’t beholden to their traditions and rituals.

From Washington Post • Jun. 15, 2020

There is Brahman, the world soul, the sustaining frame upon which is woven, warp and weft, the cloth of being, with all its decorative elements of space and time.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel