noun
Common
shah
shah
Shah (noun) means a historical title for the king or ruler of Persia (modern-day Iran). Example: “The last Shah of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 revolution.”
noun
1
A historical title for the king or ruler of Persia (modern-day Iran).
"We had a cordial welcome in Tehran from the shah and Empress Farah, a delightful banquet, and adequate time to discuss the Middle East and nuclear power affairs with the shah."
— 2011 1977 December 31, Jimmy Carter (2011)
"The last Shah of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 revolution."
"The museum displays a jewelled sword that once belonged to a Shah of Persia."
"In the old story, the Shah invites a wise traveller to his palace."
2
More broadly, a supreme ruler in certain Central, South, or West Asian states.
"The region was once governed by a local shah."
"The poem describes a proud shah who ruled the mountain kingdom for many years."
"Local legend says that the shah built the old fort overlooking the valley."
How to use shah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional title for a Persian or Iranian monarch.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shahs, shahy, shahiv
Fill the gap
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The last _____ of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 revolution.
Etymology
From Persian shāh ("king"), ultimately from Old Persian — the same root that gives us "chess" and "check" (as in checkmate, literally "the king is dead").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shah
See all rhymes for shah →Frequently asked questions
What does “shah” mean?
The word “shah” means a historical title for the king or ruler of Persia (modern-day Iran). In plain terms, a traditional title for a Persian or Iranian monarch.
How do you pronounce “shah”?
“Shah” is pronounced shah (/ʃɑː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shah” in a sentence?
Here is “shah” used in a sentence: “The last Shah of Iran was overthrown in the 1979 revolution.”
What part of speech is “shah”?
“Shah” is a noun.
Where does the word “shah” come from?
The word “shah” comes from Persian. From Persian shāh ("king"), ultimately from Old Persian — the same root that gives us "chess" and "check" (as in checkmate, literally "the king is dead").
Is “shah” a common word?
“Shah” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shah” have?
“Shah” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a historical title for the king or ruler of Persia (modern-day Iran).
What is the difference between a shah and a king?
'Shah' is a specific historical title used for the ruler of Persia, modern-day Iran, and more broadly for supreme rulers in certain Central, South, or West Asian states. 'King' is a general English term for a monarch and is not tied to a particular region or culture.
Is 'shah' still used as a title today?
The dictionary defines 'shah' as a historical title for the ruler of Persia, though the term has also been applied more broadly to supreme rulers in other Central, South, and West Asian states.
Which countries have used the title 'shah'?
The title 'shah' was historically used in Persia (modern-day Iran) and has also been used more broadly for supreme rulers in certain other Central, South, and West Asian states.
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