NIRVANA

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does nirvana mean? 

• NIRVANA (noun)
  The noun NIRVANA has 2 senses:

1. (Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness

2. any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

  Familiarity information: NIRVANA used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NIRVANA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(Hinduism and Buddhism) the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation; characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering and individual consciousness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

enlightenment; nirvana

Hypernyms ("nirvana" is a kind of...):

beatification; beatitude; blessedness (a state of supreme happiness)

Domain category:

Hindooism; Hinduism (a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils)

Buddhism (the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

Eden; heaven; nirvana; paradise; promised land; Shangri-la

Hypernyms ("nirvana" is a kind of...):

part; region (the extended spatial location of something)