tantra

1 of 2

noun (1)

tan·​tra ˈtən-trə 

ˈtän-, 

ˈtan- 

variants often Tantra

: one of the later Hindu or Buddhist scriptures dealing especially with techniques and rituals including meditative and sexual practices

also : the rituals or practices outlined in the tantra

tantric

ˈtən-trik 

ˈtän-, 

ˈtan-

adjective

often Tantric

Tantrism

ˈtən-ˌtri-zəm 

ˈtän-, 

ˈtan-

noun

Tantrist

ˈtən-trist 

ˈtän-, 

ˈtan-

noun

Tantrism

2 of 2

noun (2)

Tan·​trism ˈtən‧ˌtrizəm 

plural -s

1

: shaktism

2

: a school of Mahayana Buddhism originating in northern India and formative in Lamaism and Shingon that incorporates Hindu and pagan elements (as pantheistic mysticism, spells, the worship of female divinities) and teaches that the individual can realize his essential Buddhahood and obtain earthly benefits by theurgic practices (as mantra, mudra, erotic rites)

Examples of tantra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In tantra, the material world and physical body are suffused by divine energy. —Anya Foxen, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025

And while popular forms of meditation and mindfulness — like yoga or tantra — are more likely to be called upon in moments of duress, there's another form of meditation that can easily be incorporated into every-day life. —Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 22 July 2020

Gomez and Lovato — who began starring on the show in 2002 — likely did not cross paths with David Joyner, who played the lovable character between 1991 to 2001 and currently works as a tantra massage specialist and spiritual healer. —Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 15 Feb. 2018

Dawn Cartwright, a SkyDancing Tantra instructor in Los Angeles, advises that beginners to tantra follow the below tips and tricks to fully commit to the tantra experience. —Dana Hudepohl, Marie Claire, 17 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Sanskrit, literally, warp, from tanoti he stretches, weaves; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin

Noun (2)

tantra + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1799, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tantra

• mantra