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Definition of buddhism

buddhism

/ˈbʊd.ɪ.zəm/
Bud · dhism
Adjective:Buddhist
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buddhism Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A widespread Asian religion and philosophical tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in ancient India, teaching that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it into nirvana through ethical conduct, wisdom, and meditation.

Example

"Her study of Buddhism encouraged her to practice daily mindfulness and compassion toward all living beings."

• Nearby Words

buda
budapest
buddha
buddhism
buddhist
buddhistic
budding

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century from 'Buddha' and the suffix '-ism'. The title 'Buddha' comes from the Sanskrit and Pali word meaning 'awakened' or 'enlightened', derived from the verbal root 'budh' (to awake, know, or perceive).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Buddhism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/buddhism
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