nirvana

American  

[nir-vah-nuh, -van-uh, ner-] / nɪrˈvɑ nə, -ˈvæn ə, nər- /

noun

1. Pali nibbana.  (often initial capital letter) freedom from the endless cycle of personal reincarnations, with their consequent suffering, as a result of the extinction of individual passion, hatred, and delusion: attained by the Arhat as his goal but postponed by the Bodhisattva.

2. (often initial capital letter) salvation through the union of Atman with Brahma; moksha.

3. a place or state characterized by freedom from or oblivion to pain, worry, and the external world.

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nirvana British  

/ nɜː-, nɪəˈvɑːnə /

noun

1. Buddhism Hinduism final release from the cycle of reincarnation attained by extinction of all desires and individual existence, culminating (in Buddhism) in absolute blessedness, or (in Hinduism) in absorption into Brahman

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nirvana Cultural  

1. In Buddhism, the highest state of consciousness, in which the soul is freed from all desires and attachments. Nirvana is sometimes inaccurately used as a synonym for heaven or paradise.

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Other Word Forms

• nirvanic adjective

Etymology

Origin of nirvana

First recorded in 1830–40, nirvana is from the Sanskrit word nirvāṇa

Compare meaning

How does nirvana compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• moksha vs. nirvana

Example Sentences

Believing the claims of technology promoters that one or another nirvana is just around the corner is a mug’s game.

From Los Angeles Times

As awful as the pandemic was for just about everyone, it could be considered nirvana for retailers.

From Barron's

More and more appliances, however, are being marketed with unnecessary internet capability, reflecting the internet-of-things nirvana pitched by web promoters and appliance makers.

From Los Angeles Times

Religious folks have words for such spasmodic departures from the everyday, like beatitude, nirvana, ecstasy.

From Salon

I hope this burger recipe helps you find your way to burger nirvana — at least until grilling season returns.

From Salon

Related Words

• heaven