Lamaism

1 of 2

noun (1)

La·ma·ism ˈlä-mə-ˌi-zəm

dated, often offensive

: tibetan buddhism

Lamaist

ˈlä-mə-ist

noun or adjective dated, often offensive

Lamaistic

ˌlä-mə-ˈi-stik

adjective dated, often offensive

Lamaist

2 of 2

noun (2)

La·ma·ist -məə̇st

plural -s

often attributive

dated, often offensive

: an adherent of Tibetan Buddhism

Lamaistic

¦⸗⸗¦istik

adjective dated, often offensive

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1751, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Lamaism was circa 1751

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

lama

Lamaism

Lamaist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lamaism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lamaism. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Lamaism

noun

La·ma·ism ˈläm-ə-ˌiz-əm

: the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia having a ruling body of monks organized into ranks

Lamaist

ˈläm-ə-əst

noun or adjective

Lamaistic

ˌläm-ə-ˈis-tik

adjective

Lamaism

noun (1)

noun (2)

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on Lamaism

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

longueur

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

8 Obscure Words for Sleepy Times

Cattywampus, Taradiddle, and More Funny-Sounding Words

The Words of the Week - Jun 19

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

8 Obscure Words for Sleepy Times

Games & Quizzes