aum
|aum|
🇺🇸
/aʊm, oʊm/
🇬🇧
/aʊm, əʊm, ɔːm/
sacred primordial syllable representing cosmic/ultimate reality
Etymology
'aum' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the sacred syllable written as 'aum' (ॐ) in Devanagari; in Sanskrit it is analysed as the combination 'a' + 'u' + 'm' representing fundamental phonemes.
'aum' passed from Vedic and Classical Sanskrit into transliterated forms in medieval and early modern European writings (often as 'aum' or 'om'), and entered modern English usage via religious and scholarly texts.
Initially it functioned in Vedic and later Hindu practice as a primordial syllable representing the cosmic sound and ultimate reality; over time its use broadened into general spiritual, meditative, and popular contexts while retaining that core sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a sacred syllable or sound (often written 'om' or represented by the symbol 'ॐ') used in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and other spiritual traditions; used at the beginning and end of prayers, chants, and meditations.
The monk chanted aum before beginning the meditation.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the written or graphic symbol 'ॐ' that represents the syllable and its spiritual concept (ultimate reality, cosmic sound).
A stylized aum was carved above the temple entrance.
Synonyms
Interjection 1
a vocal chant or exclamation used in meditation or ritual practice (often prolonged and repeated).
They repeated aum together at the start of the ceremony.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/19 18:46