lama

[ lah-muh ]

noun

1. a priest or monk in Lamaism.

lama

/ ˈlɑːmə /

noun

1. a priest or monk of Lamaism

lama

1. In the Buddhism of Tibet, a monk or priest . The chief of the lamas is the Dalai Lama.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lama¹

1645–55; < Tibetan lama (spelling bla ma ) literally, superior one (in Tibetan applied only to monks of high rank)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lama¹

C17: from Tibetan blama

Example Sentences

Besides, the Dalai Lama had already laughed about its improbability.

From The Daily Beast

Though he currently lives in India, the Dalai Lama has told Vreeland that he must return someday to live as a monk in America.

From The Daily Beast

On the one hand, the Dalai Lama is, as he describes himself, “a Buddhist monk.”

From The Daily Beast

Goyeneche practices yoga and follows the Dalai Lama on Twitter.

From The Daily Beast

Sometimes the wishful thinking was done by well-known individuals—the Dalai Lama and Ralph Bunche.

From The Daily Beast

His influence is hardly so great as it used to be, still he is the great Brahmin and the grand Lama of the locality.

From Project Gutenberg

Outside was a rude altar made of stones from the river-bed, where a Lama was burning incense and chanting prayers.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he continued his questions, asking much about the Lama, and the customs and religion of his people.

From Project Gutenberg

They only knew that the lama who had been walled in for sixty-nine years had wished to see the sun again before he died.

From Project Gutenberg

The Linga monks said that an ordinary lama, when he dies, is cut in pieces and abandoned to the birds.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cleric
• elder
• father
• friar
• monk
• preacher
• rector