Loving-kindness is a specific kind of love conceptualized in various religious traditions, both among theologians and religious practitioners, as a form of love characterized by acts of kindness.
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Buddhism
Loving-kindness is an English equivalent for the Buddhist term Mettā, as described in the Metta Sutta of the Pali Canon's Sutta Nipata (Sn 1.8) and Khuddakapatha (Khp 9), and practiced in Loving kindness meditation.
Christianity
The term Loving-kindness (or "lovingkindness") was coined by Myles Coverdale in his Coverdale Bible of 1535, as an English translation of the Hebrew word chesed (which appears in the Latin Vulgate as "misericordia"); in that text it is spelled "louinge kyndnesse". It is also used in this sense in the American Standard Version and other versions of the Christian Bible.
Hinduism
Priti (Sanskrit: प्रीति) means loving kindness in Hindu traditions. The word, states Monier Williams, refers to "amity, kindness, friendly disposition, love, affection, harmony, peacefulness" to others in texts such as Grhyasutras, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Maitri is another term found in Hindu literature that means "loving-kindness". It is particularly found in Hindu Yoga-related literature.
Jainism
Yogabindu, the 6th-century Jain yoga text by Haribhadra uses the Sanskrit word Maitri in verses 402-404, in the sense of loving-kindness towards all living beings.
Judaism
Loving-kindness is used as an English translation for the Hebrew word חסד (chesed). This term is used often in the book of Psalms, and refers to acts of kindness, motivated by love. It is used primarily in reference to God, rather than people. One example is found in Psalm 107, where verse 43 reads:
"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD."
The term is also used in Pirkei Avot, with the quote "The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of God, and deeds of loving-kindness." (1:2)