noun
jihad
jih-HAD
noun
1
In Islam, a struggle or striving — either an inner spiritual effort toward self-improvement, or, in some contexts, armed struggle in defense of the faith.
"Many scholars describe jihad primarily as an internal struggle against one's own bad habits."
"The term is sometimes misused in Western media to mean only "holy war.""
How to Use Jihad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn Arabic word meaning "struggle," used in Islam for both spiritual self-discipline and, in some cases, armed conflict.
Common mistake
The word is often reduced in English media to mean only violent conflict, which flattens its broader religious meaning of personal striving.
Word Forms
jihaded past tense, jihads plural, jihads singular
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Many scholars describe _____ primarily as an internal struggle against one's own bad habits.
Etymology
Borrowed from Arabic jihād, meaning "struggle" or "effort."