Hindu

1 of 2

noun

Hin·​du ˈhin-(ˌ)dü How to pronounce Hindu (audio)
variants or less commonly Hindoo
1
: an adherent of Hinduism
2
: a native or inhabitant of India

Hindu

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly Hindoo
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Hindus or Hinduism

Examples of Hindu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
An outdoor sign for a Hindu temple in Greenwood was vandalized overnight Aug. 10, a spokesperson for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir confirmed to IndyStar. Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025 In Hindu mythology, the conch shell (shankh) is a symbolic instrument, but its benefits to health have only recently attracted the attention of scientists. New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Hindu belief holds that Lakshmi cannot enter a dark space, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025 Next, see how Singapore lives up to its reputation as a melting pot of cultures by walking around the corner to the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the country. Elizabeth See, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Hindu

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Persian Hindū inhabitant of India, from Hind India

First Known Use

Noun

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hindu was in 1625

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hindu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hindu. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

Hindu

noun
Hin·​du
ˈhin-(ˌ)dü
1
: a follower of Hinduism
2
: a person born or living in India
Hindu adjective
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