ayatollah

American  

[ah-yuh-toh-luh] / ˌɑ yəˈtoʊ lə /

noun

1. (among Shiʿites) a title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.

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ayatollah British  

/ ˌaɪəˈtɒlə /

noun

1. one of a class of Iranian Shiite religious leaders

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Etymology

Origin of ayatollah

1975–80; < Persian < Arabic āyat allāh sign of God; Allah

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, he demanded Iran's surrender and issued veiled threats to the ayatollah.

From Salon

Analysts say the aging ayatollah is sufficiently pragmatic to seek to avoid wider conflagration, as long as the proxies will be able to step up.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike the Shiites of Iran and Iraq, Yemen’s Zaydis never had ayatollahs.

From Salon

“The majestic funeral that Iran witnessed proved that the people are alive,” the ayatollah added, according to Al Mayadeen, which has long reported closely on Iran and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group.

From New York Times

Mr. Khamenei, 65, is the second son of the ayatollah’s six children.

From New York Times