Hinayana

1 of 2

noun (1)

Hi·​na·​ya·​na ˌhi-nə-ˈyä-nə How to pronounce Hinayana (audio)
ˌhē-
: theravada
Hinayanist
ˌhi-nə-ˈyä-nist How to pronounce Hinayana (audio)
ˌhē-
noun
Hinayanistic
ˌhi-nə-yä-ˈni-stik How to pronounce Hinayana (audio)
ˌhē-
adjective

Hinayanist

2 of 2

noun (2)

Hi·​na·​ya·​nist -nə̇st How to pronounce Hinayanist (audio)
plural -s
: an adherent of Hinayana
Hinayanistic
¦⸗⸗(ˌ)⸗¦nistik How to pronounce Hinayanist (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Sanskrit hīnayāna lesser vehicle

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hinayana was in 1868

Rhymes for Hinayana

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Browse Nearby Words

hinau
Hinayana
Hinayanist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hinayana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hinayana. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Hinayana

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Hinayana

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