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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of Dalai Lama

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Dalai Lama

The 90-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been based in India since fleeing the Tibetan capital Lhasa after Chinese troops crushed an uprising in 1959.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 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

The stakes will be raised around the succession of the Dalai Lama, likely one of the most consequential religious and political flashpoints of the coming decade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

In the interview, Rai said his favourite portrait subject was the Dalai Lama, describing the "intensity and spiritual energy" he brings to a frame.

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026

If you don’t believe me, try making sense out of this pile of words: Who do you think I saw the other day the Dalai Lama said my aunt Minnie.

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