Om

¹ American  

[awm] / ɔm /

Also Aum

noun

Hinduism.

1. a mantric word thought to be a complete expression of Brahman and interpreted as having three sounds representing Brahma or creation, Vishnu or preservation, and Siva or destruction, or as consisting of the same three sounds, representing waking, dreams, and deep sleep, along with the following silence, which is fulfillment.

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Om. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Ostmark.

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O.M. ³ American  

abbreviation

British.

1. Order of Merit.

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OM ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Order of Merit (a Brit title)

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symbol

1. currency (the former) Ostmark

Om ² British  

/ əʊm /

noun

1. Hinduism a sacred syllable typifying the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, who are concerned in the threefold operation of integration, maintenance, and disintegration

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OM ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Oman (international car registration)

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om ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Oman

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Etymology

Origin of Om

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1780–90

Example Sentences

In Egypt, which increased the cost of fuels by up to 30 percent, mother-of-six Om Mohamed fretted about the future.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Om is said to be the mantra describing the sound of the universe.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2024

On a recent afternoon, Om Prakash Bhatia went to house after house in a New Delhi neighborhood inviting people to take part in Hindu ceremonies at local temples.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 2024

Approving the opposition motion, lower house speaker Om Birla said he would soon decide when the debate and vote would take place.

From Reuters • Jul. 26, 2023

As he sat down ready to pronounce the Om, Siddhartha softly recited the verse: ”Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul, Brahman is the arrow’s goal At which one aims unflinchingly.”

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse