Wats

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Sacred Buddhist temple complexes, typically found in Southeast Asia ; plural form for such religious shrines or monasteries ; architectural sites for worship and community gatherings in Theravada Buddhism
2. Multiple Buddhist monastic temples, particularly notable in Thailand and neighboring countries ; collections of holy structures used for spiritual practices ; religious precincts serving as centers for learning and prayer
3. Refers to several grand temple compounds in the Buddhist tradition ; religious places, often elaborately decorated, where monks reside and ceremonies occur ; prominent sacred sites central to Buddhist worship and cultural events

Etymology: In Thailand and Cambodia, a temple complex is called a "wat," a word that likely began as a term for an enclosed space. The Thai word is generally traced back to the Pali and Sanskrit "vāṭa," meaning a fence or enclosure, which suits the walled grounds where monks live, pray, and study. "Wats" is simply the plural, referring to several such complexes. Separately, "wat" also appears as a humorous spelling of "what."

Synonyms: watt