1
: seclusion of women from public observation among Muslims and some Hindus especially in India
2
: a state of seclusion or concealment
Examples of purdah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Built during the Mughal era, the park used to be frequented by elite Muslim women who observed the purdah tradition – being behind the veil at all times.
—
Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 July 2023
Much more difficult for us because of our purdah.
—Mira Sethi, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2022
In the book, Perveen can go to places where male lawyers cannot due to the practice of purdah.
—Randy Dotinga, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2020
Cultural hurdles such as women not being permitted to talk to other men, the purdah system, and restrictions on mobility get in the way, too.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, 20 Nov. 2019
This doesn’t mean older women should give up and go into purdah.
—Abby Gardner, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2019
This was hardly the first occasion when a party had locked its politicians in purdah to preserve their chastity from a predatory rival.
—The Economist, 31 May 2018
Saudi Arabia’s princes used to shrink from Britain’s press like women in purdah.
—The Economist, 8 Mar. 2018
The insights from the Inflation Report are the first in weeks since a snap general election called by Prime Minister Theresa May policy makers into purdah.
—Jill Ward, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
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.
Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 July 2023
Much more difficult for us because of our purdah.
—Mira Sethi, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2022
In the book, Perveen can go to places where male lawyers cannot due to the practice of purdah.
—Randy Dotinga, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar. 2020
Cultural hurdles such as women not being permitted to talk to other men, the purdah system, and restrictions on mobility get in the way, too.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, 20 Nov. 2019
This doesn’t mean older women should give up and go into purdah.
—Abby Gardner, Glamour, 30 Apr. 2019
This was hardly the first occasion when a party had locked its politicians in purdah to preserve their chastity from a predatory rival.
—The Economist, 31 May 2018
Saudi Arabia’s princes used to shrink from Britain’s press like women in purdah.
—The Economist, 8 Mar. 2018
The insights from the Inflation Report are the first in weeks since a snap general election called by Prime Minister Theresa May policy makers into purdah.
—Jill Ward, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Purdah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purdah. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share