Dalai Lama

American  

[dah-lahy lah-muh] / ˈdɑ laɪ ˈlɑ mə /

noun

1. (formerly) the ruler and chief monk of Tibet, believed to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara and sought for among newborn children after the death of the preceding Dalai Lama.

---

Dalai Lama British  

/ ˈdælaɪ ˈlɑːmə /

noun

1. (until 1959) the chief lama and ruler of Tibet

2. born 1935, the 14th holder of this office (1940), who fled to India (1959): Nobel peace prize 1989

---

Etymology

Origin of Dalai Lama

From Mongolian, equivalent to dalai “ocean” + lama “a celibate priest”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Dalai Lama

It has labelled the exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a separatist.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

While the Dalai Lama expressed sorrow and questioned the efficacy of such protests, some scholars criticized him for not trying to stop the practice.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

In one of her last posts on the social media platform "X", she wished the Dalai Lama a happy 90th birthday.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Located in the Berkshires, in Massachusetts, IMS has welcomed luminaries like the Dalai Lama to its grounds, which includes three dormitories and a forest retreat amid acres of well-maintained trails.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

There are at least two possibilities: • “Who do you think I saw the other day?” the Dalai Lama said.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner