emir

or a·mir

[ uh-meer, ey-meer, ey-meer ]

See synonyms for emir on Thesaurus.com

noun

a chieftain, prince, commander, or head of state in some Islamic countries.
a title of honor of the descendants of Muhammad.

(initial capital letter) the former title of the ruler of Afghanistan.
a title of certain Turkish officials.

Origin of emir

First recorded in 1625–35; from Arabic ʾamīr “commander, prince,” from ʾamara “to command, order”

Also a·meer, e·meer .

Words Nearby emir

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use emir in a sentence

He adds: “None of the fighters will dare touch it, if an emir has given permission.”
U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS | Jamie Dettmer | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Also imprisoned with the boys: a Libyan member of ISIS who apparently had gotten into a dispute with the emir.
Abducted, Tortured, Indoctrinated: The Tale of a Teen Who Escaped ISIS | Yusuf Sayman | August 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The next day they met a local ISIS official, or emir: a Saudi man who introduced himself as Abu Musa.
Abducted, Tortured, Indoctrinated: The Tale of a Teen Who Escaped ISIS | Yusuf Sayman | August 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The emir often receives household heads asking him to let their sons leave ISIS and apparently he often responds positively.
ISIS’s Newest Recruit Is 10 Years Old | Niqash | June 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her name is Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, and she was until recently the wife of the emir of Qatar.
Why You’ve Never Heard of the World’s Best-Dressed Royal | Keli Goff | April 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Splendid was the emir in form and face, with broad shoulders and lordly height and poise.
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
He had but set eyes on De Valmont and the emir, when he saw his day-dreams vanish in thin air.
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
While she was staring at the words, Bardas, the serving-man, startled her: "The emir Iftikhar to see the gracious princess."
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
Only the emir Iftikhar communed darkly with his own heart, and with certain sworn followers of his in the Saracen guard.
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
I shall become a great emir,—vizier perhaps—no—I will better that; what may not a good sword hope with favoring start?
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis

British Dictionary definitions for emir

emir

/ (ɛˈmɪə) /

noun(in the Islamic world)

an independent ruler or chieftain
a military commander or governor

a descendant of Mohammed

Origin of emir

C17: via French from Spanish emir, from Arabic ' amīr commander

Also spelt: amir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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