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

Last year the Dalai Lama confirmed plans to name a successor, which has caused further friction with China.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

The Dalai Lama won a Grammy for audio, narration and storytelling for his audiobook "Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

The Dalai Lama said he accepted the award with "gratitude and humility".

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said Monday he was grateful for his first Grammy, after bagging the top music industry award for audio book, narration and storytelling.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 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