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 notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like fasting.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- fastings
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".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for fasting
casting
tasting
lasting
wasting
pasting
boasting
coasting
roasting
feasting
blasting
toasting
contrasting
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.
