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

Other Words From

• i·mamship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imam¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imam¹

C17: from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided

Example Sentences

In 2016 Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 46, was arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran after a holiday visit, where she had taken her daughter Gabriella to see her parents.

From BBC

“We, as Muslims, stand with President Trump because he promises peace … not war,” said Imam Belal Alzuhairi.

From Los Angeles Times

Does the imam really understand how Trump proposes to end Israel’s war on Hamas as well as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine?

From Los Angeles Times

“The value of defeating the Democratic Party makes Trump a price we’re willing to pay,” he said, quoting an imam from a recent sermon in Dearborn, where rallies and religious sermons have encouraged their communities to “conscience vote.”

From Slate

An S-300 air defense system at the Imam Khomeini International Airport was taken out of service; missile manufacturing plants were struck as well; Iran reported four soldiers killed.

From Los Angeles Times