om
Om (noun) means a sacred syllable chanted in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain meditation and prayer. Example: “She began her yoga class by chanting om three times.”
How to use om
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA meditative chant, or the act of chanting it.
Word forms
ommed past tense, oms plural, oms singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She began her yoga class by chanting _____ three times.
Etymology
Borrowed from Sanskrit om, a mystical syllable used across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions.
Frequently asked questions
What does “om” mean?
The word “om” means a sacred syllable chanted in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain meditation and prayer. In plain terms, a meditative chant, or the act of chanting it.
How do you pronounce “om”?
“Om” is pronounced om (/oʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “om” in a sentence?
Here is “om” used in a sentence: “She began her yoga class by chanting om three times.”
What part of speech is “om”?
Depending on how it is used, “om” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “om” come from?
The word “om” comes from Sanskrit. Borrowed from Sanskrit om, a mystical syllable used across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions.
Is “om” a common word?
“Om” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “om” have?
“Om” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sacred syllable chanted in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain meditation and prayer.
What is the difference between om as a noun and om as a verb?
As a noun, om refers to the sacred syllable itself, chanted in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain meditation and prayer. As a verb, to om means to chant that syllable, as in 'they omed together during meditation.'
In which religious traditions is om used?
Om is chanted across multiple traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as a sacred syllable in meditation and prayer. Its use spans these different faiths rather than being unique to just one.
Is om only used in religious contexts?
While om originates as a sacred syllable in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain practice, it has also become widely recognized in secular yoga and meditation classes around the world. In these settings it is still chanted in the same traditional way, even outside strictly religious worship.
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