Taoism
Americannoun
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the philosophical system evolved by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu, advocating a life of complete simplicity and naturalness and of noninterference with the course of natural events, in order to attain a happy existence in harmony with the Tao.
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Also called Hsüan Chiao. a popular Chinese religion, originating in the doctrines of Lao-tzu but later highly eclectic in nature and characterized by a pantheon of many gods and by the practice of alchemy, divination, and magic.
noun
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the philosophy of Lao Zi that advocates a simple honest life and noninterference with the course of natural events
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a popular Chinese system of religion and philosophy claiming to be teachings of Lao Zi but also incorporating pantheism and sorcery
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Etymology
Origin of Taoism
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.
As these forms of faith came down to the present day, they tended to ignore the strain of religions that are mostly nonproselytizing—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto and tribal indigenous traditions.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
Similar acts also exist in Taoism and Buddhism practiced in India, both of which also influenced the historical development of Shugendo.
From National Geographic • Jan. 19, 2024
Temples are key civic spaces in Taiwan, with two-thirds of the population following folk religions, Buddhism and Taoism.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2023
At the Wong Tai Sen Taoism Center in Monterey Park, red lanterns dangle from every corner of the ceiling bearing slips of paper with wishes for prosperity, love and peace.
From Washington Post • Jan. 26, 2023
Frank remembered Iris, the rainbow goddess, who’d been dabbling in Buddhism and Taoism.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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.
