pandit

noun

pan·​dit ˈpan-dət How to pronounce pandit (audio) ˈpən- How to pronounce pandit (audio)
: a wise or learned man in India
often used as an honorary title

Examples of pandit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her grandmother isn’t a pandit – in India, as well as in Indian diaspora communities, that’s been a domain that is largely populated by men, with cultural mores at play. Deepti Hajela, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2021 Her father worked as a pandit -- or Hindu priest -- at a temple, and visited homes to perform rituals. Vedika Sud, Esha Mitra and Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, 11 June 2021 Juneja's story is in many ways a typical one, said Sapna Pandya, a Washington, D.C.-based pandit, the title given to Hindu religious scholars and priests who perform wedding and other spiritual rituals. NBC News, 2 Mar. 2021 The wedding ceremony was a traditional Hindu ceremony performed by a pandit (priest). Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pandit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hindi paṇḍit, from Sanskrit paṇḍita

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pandit was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near pandit

Cite this Entry

“Pandit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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