Zoroastrianism

noun

Zo·​ro·​as·​tri·​an·​ism ˌzȯr-ə-ˈwa-strē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce Zoroastrianism (audio)
: a Persian religion founded in the sixth century b.c. by the prophet Zoroaster, promulgated in the Avesta, and characterized by worship of a supreme god Ahura Mazda who requires good deeds for help in his cosmic struggle against the evil spirit Ahriman
Zoroastrian adjective or noun

Examples of Zoroastrianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This ceremonial table holds several symbolic items including a mirror representing eternity and candlesticks, a reference to a fire burning passion, and a nod to Zoroastrianism. Iman Hariri-Kia, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024 The Wikipedia entry on the Golden Rule cites variations of this basic ethic from Egyptian, Sanskrit, Tamil, Persian, Roman, and Yoruba texts, from the three Abrahamic religions, as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and so on. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024 These symbols further connect the artifact to Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the Sasanian Empire, the last Iranian empire before the early Muslim conquests. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Zoroastrianism was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near Zoroastrianism

Cite this Entry

“Zoroastrianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Zoroastrianism. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

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