prayer beads

[ prair ]

plural noun

1. a rosary.

prayer beads

/ prɛə /

plural noun

1. RC Church the beads of the rosary

Word History and Origins

Origin of prayer beads¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Sitting atop a lotus, the Hindu goddess of wisdom holds a book, prayer beads and a classical instrument called a veena in her four hands.

From BBC

When the megaphone called out for the daily Islamic prayers, the nonbeliever grabbed his prayer beads and ambled through the streets to join others at the mosque in Kano, northern Nigeria’s largest city.

From Seattle Times

She would run her fingers along the pointed nubs of the beans — almost like someone would press prayer beads between their fingertips — and stare at the black-eyed Susans coming up in her backyard.

From Salon

"The demand for prayer beads is way higher than in the previous years, including before the pandemic," said shop manager Abdullah Abbas.

From Reuters

“I know, Mama,” he said as he knelt down, white prayer beads hung around his neck.

From New York Times