Hinduism
or Hin·doo·ism
[ hin-doo-iz-uhm ]
/ ˈhɪn duˌɪz əm /
See the most commonly confused word associated with jainism
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noun
the common religion of India, based upon the religion of the original Aryan settlers as expounded and evolved in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, etc., having an extremely diversified character with many schools of philosophy and theology, many popular cults, and a large pantheon symbolizing the many attributes of a single god. Buddhism and Jainism are outside the Hindu tradition but are regarded as related religions.
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Words nearby Hinduism
hindsight, hind tit, Hindu, Hindu-Arabic numeral, Hindu calendar, Hinduism, Hinduize, Hindu Kush, Hindus, Hindustan, Hindustani
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Hinduism in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Hinduism
Hinduism
Hindooism
/ (ˈhɪndʊˌɪzəm) /
noun
the complex of beliefs, values, and customs comprising the dominant religion of India, characterized by the worship of many gods, including Brahma as supreme being, a caste system, belief in reincarnation, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Cultural definitions for Hinduism
Hinduism
A religion of India that emphasizes freedom from the material world through purification of desires and elimination of personal identity. Hindu beliefs include reincarnation. (See Brahmins, pariah, Vishnu, and yoga.)
notes for Hinduism
Traditionally, Hinduism was linked to the caste system — a division of Indian society into several rigid groups, with members of a higher caste holding power over those of a lower.
notes for Hinduism
The sacred writings of Hinduism include the Vedas (which contain the Upanishads) and the Bhagavad Gita.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.