Lamaism

noun

La·​ma·​ism ˈlä-mə-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
dated, often offensive
: tibetan buddhism
Lamaist
ˈlä-mə-ist How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
noun or adjective dated, often offensive
Lamaistic
ˌlä-mə-ˈi-stik How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
adjective dated, often offensive

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lamaism was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

lama
Lamaism
La Mancha
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Cite this Entry

“Lamaism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lamaism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Lamaism

noun
La·​ma·​ism ˈläm-ə-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
: the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia having a ruling body of monks organized into ranks
Lamaist
ˈläm-ə-əst How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
noun or adjective
Lamaistic
ˌläm-ə-ˈis-tik How to pronounce Lamaism (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Lamaism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Lamaism

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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