Buddhism

1 of 3

noun (1)

Bud·​dhism ˈbü-ˌdi-zəm  ˈbu̇- 

: a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Siddhārtha Gautama that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by cultivating wisdom, virtue, and concentration

Buddhist

ˈbü-dist 

ˈbu̇-

noun or adjective

Buddhistic

bü-ˈdi-stik 

bu̇-

adjective

Buddhist

2 of 3

noun (2)

Bud·​dhist ˈbü-dist 

ˈbu̇-

plural -s

: an adherent of Buddhism

Buddhist

3 of 3

adjective

Bud·​dhist ˈbü-dist 

ˈbu̇-

variants or Buddhistic

(ˈ)bü-¦di-stik 

(ˈ)bu̇-

or less commonly Buddhistical

(ˈ)bü-¦di-sti-kəl, 

(ˈ)bu̇-

: of or relating to Buddha or Buddhism

Buddhistically

(ˈ)bü-¦di-sti-k(ə-)lē, 

(ˈ)bu̇-

adverb

Examples of Buddhism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For Fuller, Buddhism is just another route to ultimate spiritual truth, all esoteric systems being much of a muchness to him. —Stewart Home august 22, Literary Hub, 22 Aug. 2025

The room uses technology to transform into sacred spaces representing the world’s five largest faith traditions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. —Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025

Tibetan Buddhism must be guided to adapt to China’s socialist system, Xi said. —Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025

Shintoism is an Indigenous animist belief system that predates Buddhism’s arrival in Japan, and Shinto sites of worship now exist comfortably alongside Buddhist temples. —Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Gautama Buddha + English -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1800, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1793, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1811, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Buddhism

• Tibetan Buddhism

Kids Definition

Buddhism

noun

Bud·​dhism ˈbü-ˌdiz-əm  ˈbu̇d-ˌiz- 

: a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Gautama Buddha

Buddhist

ˈbüd-əst 

ˈbu̇d-

noun or adjective

Buddhistic

bü-ˈdis-tik 

bu̇-

adjective