noun

minaret

MIN-uh-ret

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Minaret (noun) means a tall, slender tower of a mosque from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer. Example: “The minaret rose above the rooftops, its call to prayer echoing across the old town.”

noun

A tall, slender tower of a mosque from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.

"The minaret rose above the rooftops, its call to prayer echoing across the old town."

"Workers were repairing the tiles on the mosque's minaret."

"From the top of the minaret, the muezzin recited the adhan at dawn."

How to use minaret

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe tall tower on a mosque that the call to prayer is given from.

When to use it

It's a neutral, factual term used in architecture, travel writing and religious contexts alike.

Memory tip

Don't confuse it with minuet, a type of slow dance, which sounds similar but is unrelated.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

minuet →

Common pairings

climb the minaret the mosque's minaret a slender minaret the top of the minaret

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ rose above the rooftops, its call to prayer echoing across the old town.

Etymology

Minaret entered English in 1682 from French, which took it from Ottoman Turkish minare. That word in turn came from Arabic manara, meaning lighthouse or minaret, a term that shares its root with menorah.

Origin: Arabic

Rhymes for minaret

claret cabaret Margaret

See all rhymes for minaret →

Frequently asked questions

What is a minaret used for?

It is the tower from which the muezzin gives the call to prayer, so its height lets the sound carry across the surrounding area.

Is a minaret part of every mosque?

The word specifically describes this tall tower attached to or standing beside a mosque; not every small mosque has one, but it is a recognised feature of the building type.

Where does the word minaret come from?

It came into English via French and Ottoman Turkish from the Arabic word for lighthouse, manara.

What is the meaning of minaret?

"minaret" (noun) means a tall, slender tower of a mosque from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.