Sikh

American  

[seek, sik] / sik, sɪk /

noun

Sikhs plural

1. a member of a monotheistic religion, founded in the Punjab about 1500 by the guru Nanak, that refuses to recognize the Hindu caste system or the Brahmanical priesthood and forbids magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or to their religion and practices.

Sikh British  

/ siːk /

noun

1. a member of an Indian religion that separated from Hinduism and was founded in the 16th century, that teaches monotheism and that has the Granth as its chief religious document, rejecting the authority of the Vedas

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or their religious beliefs and customs

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Sikhism
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Sikhs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Sikh

First recorded in 1750–60; from Hindi: literally, “disciple,” from Sanskrit śiṣya-

Example Sentences

Since Modi came to power numerous Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh places of worship have undergone extensive renovation, as have holy sites such as Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

And they want the law changed so that large Sikh ceremonial knives are not exempt from the rules on carrying weapons.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

A group of Sikh MPs has said the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak was "not about" their religion.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

The Sikh Federation said the blade used by Digwa was not a religious knife, known as a kirpan.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Now I look at him and think Sikh.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• adherent
• believer
• devotee