English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

fasting

FAHS-tihng

Fasting (noun) means going without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons. Example: “Many Muslims practise fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.”

noun
1
Going without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons.
"Many Muslims practise fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan."
"Her doctor suggested intermittent fasting to help manage her blood sugar."

How to Use Fasting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe practice or act of not eating, whether for religion, health, or a medical test.

Common pairings
intermittent fasting a period of fasting religious fasting

Word Forms

fastings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “fasting” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Many Muslims practise _____ from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.

Etymology

From "fast" (to abstain from food) plus the suffix "-ing".

abstinence self-denial deprivation food restriction

Related Words

Rhymes for fasting

See all rhymes for fasting →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fasting” mean?

The word “fasting” means going without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons. In plain terms, the practice or act of not eating, whether for religion, health, or a medical test.

How do you pronounce “fasting”?

“Fasting” is pronounced FAHS-tihng (/ˈfæstɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fasting” in a sentence?

Here is “fasting” used in a sentence: “Many Muslims practise fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.”

What part of speech is “fasting”?

“Fasting” is a noun.

Is “fasting” a common word?

“Fasting” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between fasting and starving?

Fasting is a voluntary choice to go without food, often for religious, spiritual, or health reasons, and is undertaken with control over when and how long it lasts. Starving is an involuntary and often prolonged lack of food that causes serious harm and is not a choice.

What is the difference between fasting and dieting?

Dieting typically means restricting or adjusting the types and amounts of food eaten over time to manage weight or health. Fasting means abstaining from food entirely for a set period, rather than moderating what is eaten.

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial