Definition of fasting Fasting

/fæˈstɪŋ/ - [fasting] -

We found 6 definitions of fasting from 5 different sources.

What does fasting mean?

Noun
fasting - abstaining from food
		fast
		abstinence act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
		dieting, diet the act of restricting your food intake (or your intake of particular foods)
		hunger strike a voluntary fast undertaken as a means of protest

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Fasting is a kind of abstinence. It is when someone does not eat or drink for some specified period of time. It is only the case if the person does so of his or her own will. It may also be that the person only eats and drinks certain kinds of food. Most often, fasting is done for religious reasons. Depending on the tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual intercourse, (or any sexual desire), masturbation, as well as refraining from eating certain types or groups of food (e.g. meat).

Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. It is mentioned in the Qur'an, in the Mahabharata, in the Upanishads, and in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament.

In almost all cases, there are exceptions for observing the fasting. These are made for the following groups of people