Sikh

American  

[seek, sik] / sik, sɪk /

noun

1. a member of a monotheistic religion, founded in the Punjab about 1500 by the guru Nanak, that refuses to recognize the Hindu caste system or the Brahmanical priesthood and forbids magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or to their religion and practices.

Sikh British  

/ siːk /

noun

1. a member of an Indian religion that separated from Hinduism and was founded in the 16th century, that teaches monotheism and that has the Granth as its chief religious document, rejecting the authority of the Vedas

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or their religious beliefs and customs

Other Word Forms

• Sikhism noun

Etymology

Origin of Sikh

First recorded in 1750–60; from Hindi: literally, “disciple,” from Sanskrit śiṣya-

Example Sentences

"We won't be silenced," the chairman of the Sikh Federation of Canada told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Amrit Kaur, a Sikh teacher who grew up in Quebec and who wears a turban, is one of the appellants in the case.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

California was set to revoke the licenses by Jan. 5 but extended the deadline to March 6 amid the threat of a civil class-action lawsuit by the Asian Law Caucus and the Sikh Coalition.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Those stops were often seen as nods to Canada's large Indo-Canadian and Sikh communities.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Now I look at him and think Sikh.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• adherent
• believer
• devotee