Vaishya

noun

Vaish·​ya ˈvīsh-yə How to pronounce Vaishya (audio) ˈvī-shə How to pronounce Vaishya (audio)
variants or Vaisya
: a Hindu of an upper caste traditionally assigned to commercial and agricultural occupations

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Sanskrit vaiśya, derivative of viś-, viṭ "settlement of a clan, tribe"; akin to Old Church Slavic vĭsĭ "village," Greek oîkos "dwelling, home" — more at vicinity

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Vaishya was in 1665

Browse Nearby Words

Vaishnavite
Vaishya
vaivode
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vaishya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Vaishya. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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