noun Uncommon

imam

EE-mahm

Imam (noun) means a person who leads prayers in a mosque. Example: “The imam delivered the Friday sermon to a packed mosque.”

noun

A person who leads prayers in a mosque.

"The imam delivered the Friday sermon to a packed mosque."

In Shia Islam, a religious leader regarded as a spiritual successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

"Shia Muslims recognize a line of twelve imams descended from Muhammad."

How to use imam

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Muslim worship leader, or, in Shia Islam, a recognized spiritual successor of Muhammad.

Word forms

imams plural, Imams plural

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The _____ delivered the Friday sermon to a packed mosque.

Etymology

From Arabic imam, meaning "leader."

Origin: Arabic

Synonyms

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imaum

Frequently asked questions

What does “imam” mean?

The word “imam” means a person who leads prayers in a mosque. In plain terms, a Muslim worship leader, or, in Shia Islam, a recognized spiritual successor of Muhammad.

How do you pronounce “imam”?

“Imam” is pronounced EE-mahm (/ˈiːmɑːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “imam” in a sentence?

Here is “imam” used in a sentence: “The imam delivered the Friday sermon to a packed mosque.”

What part of speech is “imam”?

“Imam” is a noun.

Where does the word “imam” come from?

The word “imam” comes from Arabic. From Arabic imam, meaning "leader.".

Is “imam” a common word?

“Imam” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “imam” have?

“Imam” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who leads prayers in a mosque.

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Vocabulary lists that include imam:

Words with Arabic origins Words that end with M