Vishnu

American  

[vish-noo] / ˈvɪʃ nu /

noun

Hinduism.

1. (in later Hinduism) “the Preserver,” the second member of the Trimurti, along with Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer.

2. (in popular Hinduism) a deity believed to have descended from heaven to earth in several incarnations, or avatars, varying in number from nine to twenty-two, but always including animals. His most important human incarnation is the Krishna of the Bhagavad-Gita.

3. “the Pervader,” one of a half-dozen solar deities in the Rig-Veda, daily traversing the sky in three strides, morning, afternoon, and night.

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Vishnu British  

/ ˈvɪʃnuː /

noun

1. Hinduism the Pervader or Sustainer: originally a solar deity occupying a secondary place in the Hindu pantheon; later one of the three chief gods, the second member of the Trimurti; and, later still, the saviour appearing in many incarnations

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Vishnu Cultural  

1. A deity of Hinduism, known as the Preserver. According to the Hindus, he has appeared as Krishna and as the Buddha.

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Other Word Forms

• Vishnuism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Vishnu

From the Sanskrit word viṣṇu

Example Sentences

Iraq's State Organisation for Marketing of Oil said two other oil tankers, Safesea Vishnu and Zefyros, were hit on Thursday.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

A second vessel, Greek-owned and Maltese-flagged Zefyros, was struck while it was in the middle of a ship-to-ship transfer with the Safesea Vishnu, the vessel's manager Benetech Shipping said.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

When we finally reach Vishnu resting in his bespoke single gallery, the exhibition has prepared us to take him in as an impressive feat of casting technology and a product of Khmer royal patronage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Elsewhere, Vishnu Sridharan and I have called this the difference between offering “natural” and “created” reasons.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024

We crouched down as she rocked back and forth and whispered her prayers to Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani