Ramadan

[rahm-uh-dahn, rahm-uh-dahn, ram-uh-dan]

noun

Islam.

1. the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

2. the festival celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, commemorating the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad: observed with strict fasting from dawn till sunset and, often, feasting and festivities after sunset.

Ramadan

/ ˌræməˈdɑːn, ˌræməˈzɑːn /

noun

1. the ninth month of the Muslim year, lasting 30 days, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset

2. the fast itself

Ramadan

1. A holy month in Islam; the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Devout Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset during each day of Ramadan.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ramadan¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Arabic ramaḍān, from ramaḍ “dryness, scorchedness,” from ramiḍa “to become intensely hot, be scorched”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ramadan¹

C16: from Arabic, literally: the hot month, from ramad dryness

Example Sentences

Palestinian residents said the settlers, some wearing masks, some carrying guns and some wearing military uniforms, attacked as residents were breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to the Associated Press.

From Los Angeles Times

He is teetotal and a practising Muslim who has spoken openly about his observance of Ramadan.

From BBC

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which has become the most common opening race, is again in April as a result of the timing of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

From BBC

Her last video on Pakistan was uploaded in March, in which she was seen in the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi attending a Ramadan dinner.

From BBC

His mother did not know if he was alive or dead until he sent his family a photo of himself during Ramadan in March.

From BBC

When To Use

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset each day.The word Ramadan is also used to refer to this daily fast.During Ramadan, Muslims who fast start the day by eating a meal, called suhoor, before sunrise. The fast is then broken every night after sunset with a meal called iftar. The strictness of the fast varies among Muslims, and not every Muslim fasts during Ramadan. Children, elderly people, and people who have a health condition or are sick or pregnant are not required to fast, and often eat and drink during the day.Along with the daily fast and other forms of abstinence, many Muslims observe Ramadan by praying, attending services at their mosque, trying to give up bad habits, and performing charitable acts.The day after Ramadan ends, the festival known as Eid-al-fitr begins. Its name means “festival of the breaking of the fast.”One traditional greeting for Ramadan is Ramadan Mubarak, roughly meaning “Happy Ramadan” or “Blessed Ramadan.”