Zoroastrianism

noun

Zo·​ro·​as·​tri·​an·​ism ˌzȯr-ə-ˈwa-strē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

: a Persian religion founded in the sixth century b.c. by the prophet Zoroaster, promulgated in the Avesta, and characterized by worship of a supreme god Ahura Mazda who requires good deeds for help in his cosmic struggle against the evil spirit Ahriman

Zoroastrian

ˌzȯr-ə-ˈwa-strē-ən 

adjective or noun

Examples of Zoroastrianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some on the Iranian plateau still practice Zoroastrianism, the world’s first monotheistic faith, and the foundation for an ancient empire that still informs Iranians’ sense of themselves. —Karl Vick, Time, 22 June 2025

Although closely associated with Zoroastrianism today, this funerary tradition is rooted more deeply in Persian culture, reflecting an ancient respect for the cycles of nature. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

This ceremonial table holds several symbolic items including a mirror representing eternity and candlesticks, a reference to a fire burning passion, and a nod to Zoroastrianism. —Iman Hariri-Kia, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024

The Wikipedia entry on the Golden Rule cites variations of this basic ethic from Egyptian, Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Roman, and Yoruba texts, from the three Abrahamic religions, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and so on. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024

These symbols further connect the artifact to Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the Sasanian Empire, the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Zoroastrianism

• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism
• anticommunism
• antisemitism
• antiterrorism
• bioterrorism
• colloquialism
• colonialism
• consequentialism
• contextualism
• conventionalism