Sanskrit

noun

San·​skrit ˈsan-ˌskrit 

ˈsan(t)-skrət

1

: an ancient Indo-Aryan language that is the classical language of India and of Hinduism

2

: classical Sanskrit together with the older Vedic and various later modifications of classical Sanskrit see Indo-European Languages Table

Sanskrit adjective

Sanskritic

san-ˈskri-tik 

adjective

Sanskritist

ˈsan-ˌskri-tist 

noun

Examples of Sanskrit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The same year, British officials passed the English Education Act, diverting funding from the Sanskrit and Persian schools dominant in northern India to English ones teaching Western thought, including modern science. —Byvaishnavi Chandrashekhar, science.org, 5 Sep. 2024

Simone studied Sanskrit, did social outreach with Indo-Chinese factory workers barracked in a prison, and joined a Resistance network. —Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

News outlets have written explainers on how to pronounce her first name and the significance behind its meaning, lotus in Sanskrit. —April Rubin, Axios, 14 Aug. 2024

Tellingly, Sanskrit writings provide little evidence of any sustained history of Hindu trauma stemming from these temple attacks. —Supriya Gandhi, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit saṁskṛta, literally, perfected, from sam together + karoti he makes

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Sanskrit

noun

San·​skrit ˈsan-ˌskrit 

: an ancient Indic language of India and of Hinduism

Sanskrit adjective