Annapurna
|An-na-pur-na|
🇺🇸
/ˌænəˈpɝnə/
🇬🇧
/ˌænəˈpɜːnə/
food-filled (goddess); mountain named for her
Etymology
'Annapurna' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'Annapūrṇā', where 'anna' meant 'food' and 'pūrṇā' meant 'filled' or 'complete'.
'Annapūrṇā' passed from Sanskrit into languages of the Indian subcontinent (e.g., Nepali, Hindi) as 'Annapurna' and was later adopted into English as the name of the goddess and, by extension, the Himalayan massif named during mapping and exploration.
Initially, it meant 'she who is filled with food' (a goddess who provides food); over time the term retained the religious meaning while also becoming the proper name of the mountain massif and related places and routes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a massif in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal, which includes several peaks over 7,000 m, notably Annapurna I; a famous and historically significant mountaineering objective.
Annapurna is known for its challenging climbing routes and the Annapurna Circuit trek.
Synonyms
Noun 2
in Hinduism, a goddess of food and nourishment, whose name literally means 'she who is full of food' or 'giver of food'.
Devotees pray to Annapurna for food and sustenance during certain festivals.
Last updated: 2025/09/20 19:26