Brahman

¹ American  

[brah-muhn] / ˈbrɑ mən /

noun

Hinduism.

• Brahmans
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Brahmans
  plural

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

See Examples For:

Brahman Brahmans

Victoria’s Secret star Stam, 40, moved from the Big Apple to Maui during the pandemic, alongside her husband, Brahman Turner, and their two children.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026

“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 there is also Brahman saguna, with qualities, where the suit fits.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

A later series of treatises known as the Upanishads, written by a priestly class called Brahmans, developed new expressions of the Vedic religion, gradually transforming it into what many scholars refer to as Brahmanism.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

Hill also has Herefords, an English breed known for its fertility, as well as Beefmasters, a composite breed of Herefords, Brahmans and Shorthorn cattle that are more tolerant of drought.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2021

“Among Brahmans, it’s almost expected that you do white-collar jobs,” says Julie Sahni, the India native, chef and cookbook author who surrendered her career in architecture to pursue the culinary arts in the United States.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 15, 2020

The exported Brahmans are a good fit for Vietnam because they’re a resilient breed that does well in hot, humid weather.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2017

“The court of Brahma with four faces” is where four learned Brahmans sat in judgment, one of whom was the king’s chief counsellor.

From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Richard B. Westbrook