often capitalized
1
: the prayer leader of a mosque
2
: a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad
3
: any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region

Examples of imam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In addition to leading one of the most progressive, esoteric, and liberalized sects of Islam, the imam was an accomplished racehorse breeder and proponent of Islamic architecture. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Feb. 2025 The campaign to return refugees became so heated that an imam issued a ruling saying Syrians could pray at home and avoid the mosque to protect themselves from being arrested and deported. Alia Malek, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 The project, helmed by directors Radha Mehta and Saif Jaan, explores the story of an imam facing a moral crossroads between upholding traditional mosque values and protecting a male congregant’s spiritual journey. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024 The shrouded infant was laid at the feet of an imam for prayers. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imam 

Word History

Etymology

Arabic imām

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imam was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near imam

Cite this Entry

“Imam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imam. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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