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imam

[ ih-mahm ]

noun

, Islam.
  1. the officiating priest of a mosque.
  2. the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief.
  3. one of a succession of seven or twelve religious leaders, believed to be divinely inspired, of the Shiʿites.


imam

/ ɪˈmɑːm; ɪˈmɑːm; ɪˈmɔːm /

noun

  1. a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque
  2. a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community
  3. an honorific title applied to eminent doctors of Islam, such as the founders of the orthodox schools
  4. any of a succession of either seven or twelve religious leaders of the Shiites, regarded by their followers as divinely inspired


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Other Words From

  • i·mamship noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imam1

First recorded in 1605–15, imam is from the Arabic word imām leader, guide

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imam1

C17: from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided

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Example Sentences

Imam Bheel, as locals call him, was added to a list of worldwide traffickers subject to U.S. sanctions in 2009.

Imam Enchassi also noted that when Noor left the mosque, he had joined a local conservative group that spewed anti-Muslim views.

In Germany, a prominent Muslim imam gave a sermon asking Allah to kill all of the “Zionist Jews.”

Second, Imam Ali raised an issue that few have publicly discussed.

After praying for forgiveness, Fotros was redeemed by the Imam Ali who gave him back his wings.

During the last few years the Imam has kept the Czar well at bay.

Thus the Sultan's first physician is called Hakim effendi, and the priest in the seraglio Imam effendi.

The Kajar Shahs had the right to kingship only in the absence of the Imam.

The man obstinately refused to show himself, however, even turning a deaf ear to the appeals of the village imam.

On the eve of the battle, he performed his devotions at Thous, before the tomb of the Imam Riza.

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