prana

American

[prah-nuh] / ˈprɑ nə /

noun

Yoga, Jainism. the vital principle.
Yoga. one of five vital breaths moving in the body.

prana British

/ ˈpranə /

noun

(in Oriental medicine, martial arts, etc) cosmic energy believed to come from the sun and connecting the elements of the universe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prana

First recorded in 1820–30, prana is from the Sanskrit word prāṇa breath

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Sanskrit word for energy or life force, prana is the underlying concept behind whole foods, raw foods and anything organic.

From US News • Aug. 28, 2014

And nutritionists say that if you eat a high prana diet, you will naturally get the weight-loss and nutritional benefits touted by other diets.

From US News • Aug. 28, 2014

In this way, raw veganism is an extension of the vegan appreciation for animal welfare, with the added spirituality of a life force, called chi or prana.

From Scientific American • Jan. 16, 2013

Traditional Eastern treatments like acupuncture and Reiki act to strengthen the body's life force, known as chi or prana.

From Scientific American • Oct. 12, 2011

The prana in the air is appropriated by the nervous system, and is used in its work.

From The Hindu-Yogi Science Of Breath by Atkinson, William Walker

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023