Buddhism

noun

: 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 How to pronounce Buddhism (audio)
ˈbu̇-
noun or adjective
Buddhistic adjective

Examples of Buddhism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for Buddhism

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Buddhism was in 1800

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Cite this Entry

“Buddhism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Buddhism. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Buddhism

noun
: a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Gautama Buddha
Buddhist
ˈbüd-əst How to pronounce Buddhism (audio)
ˈbu̇d-
noun or adjective
Buddhistic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Buddhism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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