What does Ihraam mean?
The question, as received
Can you please tell me what does Ihraam mean?
The answer
Ihraam literally means to declare something unlawful upon oneself.
In short: ihram is the state of observing Hajj/Umrah prohibitions, entered with intention before the miqat.
Explanation
Ihraam is commonly referred to the clothing worn by a person performing Umrah or Hajj.
However, Ihraam in the context of Shari’ah refers to entering into a state of adhering to the prohibitions of even normally permitted things, with the intention of performing Hajj and/or Umrah. The wearing of the white clothing symbolises this state, although this state is not entered into by wearing the sheets of white alone.1
One must be in the state of Ihram before crossing the Mīqāt boundaries located around the blessed city of Makkah.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
References
1الإِْحْرَامُ عِنْدَ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ هُوَ الدُّخُول فِي حُرُمَاتٍ مَخْصُوصَةٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَتَحَقَّقُ شَرْعًا إِلاَّ بِالنِّيَّةِ مَعَ الذِّكْرِ أَوِ الْخُصُوصِيَّةِ .
وَالْمُرَادُ بِالدُّخُول فِي حُرُمَاتٍ: الْتِزَامُ الْحُرُمَاتِ، وَالْمُرَادُ بِالذِّكْرِ التَّلْبِيَةُ وَنَحْوُهَا مِمَّا فِيهِ تَعْظِيمُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى. (الموسوعة الفقهية الكويتية ج 2 ص 129 دارالسلاسل)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.