brahmana: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyTechnical/Historical/Specialized (Religious Studies, Indology, History)
Quick answer
What does “brahmana” mean?
A member of the highest Hindu priestly caste, traditionally responsible for teaching and preserving sacred knowledge.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the highest Hindu priestly caste, traditionally responsible for teaching and preserving sacred knowledge.
Any of the ancient Vedic commentaries and ritual treatises, one of the four basic textual divisions of the Vedas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the term is equally specialized in both dialects.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, religious.
Frequency
Extremely low in general language; appears only in specific academic/religious contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brahmana” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] the Brahmana[Adjective] Brahmanathe Brahmana of [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brahmana” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This role is traditionally brahmanaised, meaning ritual duties are prescribed.
American English
- The ceremony was Brahmanaized to follow ancient Vedic protocols.
adverb
British English
- He performed the rite brahmana-style, with great precision.
American English
- The ritual was conducted Brahmana-like, adhering to the ancient texts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in Religious Studies, Anthropology, History, and South Asian Studies departments.
Everyday
Not used, except by those with specific religious/academic backgrounds.
Technical
Core term in Indology and Hindu theology for specific texts and social classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brahmana”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brahmana”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brahmana”
- Misspelling as 'Brahmin' when referring specifically to the texts (though related, 'Brahmana' is the precise term for the texts).
- Mispronouncing the final 'a' as a schwa /ə/; in Sanskrit loanwords, it is often pronounced /ɑː/.
- Using it in non-specialist contexts where 'Brahmin' or 'priest' would be more widely understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Brahmin' (or Brahman) typically refers to the priestly caste as a social group. 'Brahmana' specifically refers to the ancient ritual and philosophical texts of the Vedas, though it can also denote a member of that caste, making the terms closely related and sometimes overlapping.
No, it is a highly specialized term borrowed from Sanskrit. It is almost exclusively used in academic, religious, or historical contexts related to Hinduism and India.
In English, it is commonly pronounced as /ˈbrɑːmənə/, stressing the first syllable. The 'a' at the end is often pronounced like the 'a' in 'comma'.
Yes, though rarely. It can function attributively (e.g., 'Brahmana texts', 'Brahmana traditions') to describe things pertaining to the Brahmanas, the caste, or their teachings.
A member of the highest Hindu priestly caste, traditionally responsible for teaching and preserving sacred knowledge.
Brahmana is usually technical/historical/specialized (religious studies, indology, history) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRAHMA' (the Hindu creator god) + 'MANA' (spiritual power). A BRAHMANA has the spiritual authority linked to Brahma.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS SACRED AUTHORITY; the Brahmana embodies and guards sacred knowledge.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Brahmana' LEAST likely to be used correctly?