ayatollah

[ ah-yuh-toh-luh ]

noun

1. (among Shiʿites) a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.

ayatollah

/ ˌaɪəˈtɒlə /

noun

1. one of a class of Iranian Shiite religious leaders

Word History and Origins

Origin of ayatollah¹

1975–80; < Persian < Arabic āyat allāh sign of God; Allah

Word History and Origins

Origin of ayatollah¹

via Persian from Arabic, from aya sign + Allah god

Example Sentences

A well-known Iranian human rights activist has killed himself in protest at what he called the dictatorship of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

From BBC

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei recently said he would deliver a “crushing” blow to Israel in response to that attack.

From Slate

Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989, calling for Rushdie’s assassination.

From BBC

Ayatollah Khomeini has said he must strike Israel with a “crushing” blow in response to its missile attack on Iran last month, which turned out to be very damaging to Iran’s military capabilities.

From Slate

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made the comments while speaking to students on Saturday ahead of the 45th anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran.

From BBC