dharma

noun

dhar·​ma ˈdär-mə  ˈdər- 

1

Hinduism : an individual's duty fulfilled by observance of custom or law

2

Hinduism and Buddhism

a

: the basic principles of cosmic or individual existence : divine law

b

: conformity to one's duty and nature

dharmic

ˈdär-mik, 

ˈdər- 

adjective

Examples of dharma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Coltrane is also deeply interested in the Buddhist principles of karma and dharma, or the moral duties and obligations to a right way of life, which are sprinkled throughout the novel. — Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Here, in the rugged, remote Santa Cruz Mountains, one of California’s coastal ranges, the counterculture had found one of its first bucolic, dharma-bum milieus. — Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026

The concepts of karma, dharma, and the eternal dance between fate and choice are deeply embedded in Indian culture. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025

It’s held every 210 days and marks the triumph of good over evil, dharma over adharma. — Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit; akin to Latin firmus firm

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dharma

• karma
• pharma