dharma

[ dahr-muh, duhr- ]

noun

, Hinduism, Buddhism.

1. essential quality or character, as of the cosmos or one's own nature.
2. conformity to religious law, custom, duty, or one's own quality or character.
3. virtue.
4. religion.
5. law, especially religious law.
6. the doctrine or teaching of the Buddha.

dharma

/ ˈdɑːmə /

noun

1. Hinduism social custom regarded as a religious and moral duty
2. Hinduism
   1. the essential principle of the cosmos; natural law
   2. conduct that conforms with this
3. Buddhism ideal truth as set forth in the teaching of Buddha

Other Words From

• dharmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dharma¹

1790–1800; < Sanskrit: custom, duty, akin to dhārayati holds, maintains

Word History and Origins

Origin of dharma¹

Sanskrit: habit, usage, law, from dhārayati he holds

Example Sentences

Mitchell Ryan, who played bad guys in ‘Lethal Weapon’ and TV’s ‘Santa Barbara’ and had roles on ‘Dark Shadows’ and ‘Dharma & Greg,’ dies at 88.

From Los Angeles Times

Zabel received no response save for a message from Bezos’ personal assistant that he’d received her email — so she went ahead with the book project, solo publishing “Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars” later that year.

From Los Angeles Times

“It would be very good for me to spread the Dharma and help many people remove some prejudices about Buddhism through me. Then I think I’ve done my job.”

From Seattle Times

“Brazil’s society still doesn’t know how to handle what happened, there’s no consensus,” said Creomar de Souza, founder of political risk consultancy Dharma Politics.

From Seattle Times

"Members of the legislature are clearly irritated by the idea that they do not have the last word," said Creomar de Souza, at Dharma Political Risk consultancy in Brasilia.

From Reuters