Hinduism

or Hin·doo·ism

[ hin-doo-iz-uhm ]

/ ˈhɪn duˌɪz əm /

Save This Word!

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.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Hinduism

First recorded in 1820–30; Hindu + -ism

Words nearby Hinduism

hindsight, hind tit, Hindu, Hindu-Arabic numeral, Hindu calendar, Hinduism, Hinduize, Hindu Kush, Hindus, Hindustan, Hindustani

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Hinduism in a sentence

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
Hinduism has become a conservative religion and, therefore, a mighty force because of the Swadeshi spirit underlying it.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi
A man of the people himself, he had a message to deliver to a peasantry naturally impatient of the shackles of orthodox Hinduism.
The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir|Sir James McCrone Douie
Emerson's phrase may well be applied to Hinduism, "What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
Where Half The World Is Waking Up|Clarence Poe
And yet Mohammedanism, although its customs are less brutal, places woman in almost the same low position as Hinduism.
Where Half The World Is Waking Up|Clarence Poe
Hinduism enslaves a majority of the men within its reach; of the women within its reach it enslaves all.
Where Half The World Is Waking Up|Clarence Poe

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.