Definition
A word or a sound that carries meaning in a language.
Example
हर शब्द का अपना एक अर्थ होता है।
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Every word has its own meaning.
Etymology
From Sanskrit शब्द (śabda), meaning "sound, speech, word." The Sanskrit root is related to the verb शब्द् (śabd-), "to make a sound." The word travelled unchanged into Hindi and is shared across many South Asian languages including Urdu (لفظ is the Urdu-register equivalent, but शब्द is widely understood), Bengali (শব্দ), and Marathi (शब्द).
Cultural note
In classical Indian philosophy, शब्द holds a special place: the Mīmāṃsā school considered it one of the valid means of knowledge (pramāṇa). The concept of Shabda Brahman (शब्द ब्रह्म) — the idea that the universe itself is made of sacred sound — is central to several Hindu and yogic traditions. This gives the word a resonance far beyond everyday usage. In formal Hindi, शब्द is the standard term in grammar and linguistics, while in Urdu-influenced contexts you may also hear لفظ (lafz) for "word."