purdah
Americannoun
-
the seclusion of women from the sight of men or strangers, practiced by some Muslims and Hindus.
-
a screen, curtain, or veil used for this purpose.
noun
-
the custom in some Muslim and Hindu communities of keeping women in seclusion, with clothing that conceals them completely when they go out
-
a screen in a Hindu house used to keep the women out of view
-
a veil worn by Hindu women of high caste
-
informal hiding or isolation
the Treasury is currently locked in pre-budget purdah
Etymology
Origin of purdah
1790–1800; < Hindi, Urdu pardah curtain < Persian
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nesbitt said the law cannot be changed due to purdah, which is a period in the run up to an election when no new ministerial policies can be introduced.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026
"My intention would not be to stay right up until polling day because purdah will kick in and there will be other stages as well," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2024
Talk that Andrew’s purdah will only last a few months is wishful thinking: Epstein’s ghost will always hover behind him now.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 22, 2019
The self-styled protector was in purdah and he resented it.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2019
I had seen these women nearly every day of my life observing the code of purdah, where they cover themselves in public.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
