Hinduism

or Hin·doo·ism

[ hin-doo-iz-uh m ]

/ ˈhɪn duˌɪz əm /

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.

QUIZZES

Can You Ace This Quiz About “Compliment” vs. “Complement”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Hinduism

First recorded in 1820–30; Hindu + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for hinduism

They want Hinduism to be seen as the solution to the centuries of mess created by Muslim and British “foreign” rule.
Should Hindu Nationalist Narendra Modi Be Allowed a U.S. Visa?|Shikha Dalmia|July 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was raised by secular Sikhs, attended a Christian school, and, as a youth, dabbled in Hinduism.
This Week’s Hot Reads: November 6, 2012|Mythili Rao|November 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The man behind some of the complaints is Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.
Animated Film Roils Hindus in Queens|Salil Tripathi|July 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
When he first attended Barsana Dham, he said, “I just felt like Hinduism was explained.”
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Hinduism directs its followers to spiritual teachers, who, according to traditional belief, are a necessary connection to God.
The Fugitive Guru|Ben Crair|June 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Asoka elevated, so Mr. Smith has said, a sect of Hinduism to the rank of a world-religion.
Studies in Literature and History|Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall
The Malays did not altogether discard the theological terms of Hinduism when they adopted a new religion.
A Manual of the Malay language|William Edward Maxwell
Leaving Calcutta, we sought the ancient city of Benares, which bears the distinction of being the center of Hinduism.
The Old World and Its Ways|William Jennings Bryan
Untouchability I hold is a custom, not an integral part of Hinduism.
Freedom's Battle|Mahatma Gandhi
Hinduism: With one of the highest number of followers (ca. 650 million), Hinduism is an eclectic religion.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.