rabi

1 of 2

noun (1)

ra·​bi ˈrə-bē How to pronounce rabi (audio)
: the Indian subcontinent's spring harvest

Note: Rabi is the Indian subcontinent's primary harvest and consists of various crops, including wheat, barley, pulses, and mustard.

compare kharif

Rabi

2 of 2

noun (2)

Ra·​bi ˈrə-bē How to pronounce Rabi (audio)
: either of two months of the Islamic year:

Examples of rabi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In southern and central India, the rabi has already been harvested or is being gathered now. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 4 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rabi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Hindi rabī and Urdu rabīʼ "spring, the spring crop or harvest," borrowed from Arabic rabīʼ "fourth part, spring"

Noun (2)

Arabic rabīʽ

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1783, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rabi was circa 1769

Dictionary Entries Near rabi

Cite this Entry

“Rabi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rabi. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Rabi

biographical name

Ra·​bi ˈrä-bē How to pronounce Rabi (audio)
Isidor Isaac 1898–1988 American (Austrian-born) physicist
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