bin Laden

American

[bin lahd-n] / bɪn ˈlɑd n /

Or Bin Laden

noun

Osama, 1957–2011, Arab militant leader: founder of al-Qaeda.

bin Laden British

/ ˌbɪnˈlɑːdən /

noun

Osama (əʊˈsɑːmə). 1957–2011, Saudi-born leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network: presumed architect of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington of September 11 2001. Killed by US Special Forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Muhammad Rahim arrived at Guantanamo in March 2008 and was accused by the CIA of being a close associate of the al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Barack Obama captured Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011, but remained at war in Afghanistan for the remainder of his presidency.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2026

Cena even broke the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed to many Americans.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

The military presence there helped radicalize young Islamic militants such as Osama bin Laden.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2025

Navy SEALs had stormed a mysterious compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, looking for Osama bin Laden.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023