Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar: Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
   • The annual religious observance of fasting: Ramadan refers to the Islamic practice of abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset during this month.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Muslims around the world observe Ramadan.
  • Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth and self-discipline.
  • The dates of Ramadan shift each year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.

Advanced Usage

• "Observe Ramadan": To participate in the fasting and rituals of the month.
  • My colleagues are observing Ramadan, so they will not join us for lunch.
• "The month of Ramadan": A common phrase emphasizing the temporal aspect.
  • Charitable giving increases during the month of Ramadan.
• "Ramadan Mubarak" / "Ramadan Kareem": Traditional greetings meaning "Blessed Ramadan" and "Generous Ramadan," used to wish others well at the start or during the month.

Variants and Related Words

• Ramadhan: An alternative transliteration of the word from Arabic.
• Ramadan fasting: The specific act of fasting during this month.
  • Ramadan fasting includes abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours.

Synonyms

• Fast of Ramadan: Specifically denotes the fasting practice.
• Holy month: A general term, but in an Islamic context, it refers to Ramadan.

Related Phrases

• Eid al-Fitr: The festival that marks the end of Ramadan.
  • After Ramadan concludes, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
• Suhoor: The pre-dawn meal before the daily fast begins.
• Iftar: The evening meal to break the daily fast at sunset.

Noun

1. (Islam) a fast (held from sunrise to sunset) that is carried out during the Islamic month of Ramadan
2. the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the month of fasting; the holiest period for the Islamic faith