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Synonyms

lama

American  
[lah-muh] / ˈlɑ mə /

noun

  1. a priest or monk in Lamaism.

lama British  
/ ˈlɑːmə /

noun

  1. a priest or monk of Lamaism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
lama Cultural  

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

Etymology

Origin of lama

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nollman mainly plays slide guitar for whale species, but has worked with a wide range of other musicians, including a grammy-winning oboe player, violinists, percussionists, a chanting Tibetian lama and more.

From Salon • Aug. 23, 2024

“I need them by full moon,” the older lama says, adding that they will allow him to set things right.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Fast-forward and The Times would chronicle the visit of a Tibetan lama reincarnate in 1995, the comings and goings of various rides, employee protests, the park’s pandemic closure, and price hikes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2023

According to Buddhist belief, the current Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama who decided to be reborn again to continue his important work, instead of moving on from the wheel of life.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2021

Unable to grasp the potential benefits of the inflatable chamber and terrified of it, Ngawang asked that a Buddhist lama be summoned.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.