Mahdi

[ mah-dee ]

noun

, plural Mah·dis.

1. the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.
2. any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

Mahdi

/ ˈmɑːdɪ /

noun

1. Mahdi?18431885MSudanesePOLITICS: military leader the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)
2. Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

Derived Forms

• ˈMahdist, nounadjective
• ˈMahdism, noun

Other Words From

• Mahdism [mah, -diz-, uh, m], noun
• Mahdist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahdi¹

First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahdi¹

Arabic mahdīy one who is guided, from madā to guide aright

Example Sentences

Mahdi Manji, director of public policy at the Inner City Law Center, said that by not allowing affordable housing in the single-family-home areas, the rezoning proposal is “playing at the edges” of integrating communities.

From Los Angeles Times

They include Richard Moore, who was convicted of killing a convenience store clerk in 1999; Brad Sigmon, who was convicted of beating to death his estranged girlfriend’s parents in 2001; Marion Bowman, who has been on death row since 2001; and Mikal Mahdi, who was sentenced to death for shooting an off-duty police officer in 2004.

From Slate

Among them stood the old Republican Palace where followers of the Mahdi, a cleric, toppled and beheaded the country’s British governor-general, Charles Gordon, in 1885.

From New York Times

The victim, whose real name was Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi, had become popular on social media sites, especially TikTok and Instagram, where her videos showed her wearing tight or revealing clothing, or singing and cuddling her young son.

From New York Times

“For every wise player, there comes a moment when the cost benefit calculation shifts and all strategies are reset,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, the chief adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament.

From New York Times