Dalai Lama

[ dah-lahy lah-muh ]

noun

1. (formerly) the ruler and chief monk of Tibet, believed to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara and sought for among newborn children after the death of the preceding Dalai Lama.

Dalai Lama

/ ˈdælaɪ ˈlɑːmə /

noun

1. (until 1959) the chief lama and ruler of Tibet
2. Dalai Lama1935MTibetanRELIGION: religious leader born 1935, the 14th holder of this office (1940), who fled to India (1959): Nobel peace prize 1989

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dalai Lama¹

From Mongolian, equivalent to dalai “ocean” + lama “a celibate priest”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dalai Lama¹

from Mongolian dalai ocean; see lama

Example Sentences

The Dalai Lama has said there is no Tibetan word for this disorder.

From Salon

The protesters carried Tibetan flags and photographs of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

From Seattle Times

Rather than take inspiration from their surroundings or a meeting with the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, England put on an end-of-tour showing lacking in steel.

From BBC

Some of the England players will meet the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, before training on Wednesday.

From BBC

The Dalai Lama says you can only begin a real meditation on life with a meditation on death.

From Los Angeles Times