ihram

American  

[ee-rahm] / iˈrɑm /

noun

1. the dress worn by male Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca, consisting of two white cotton cloths, one worn round the waist, the other over the left shoulder.

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ihram British  

/ ɪˈrɑːm /

noun

1. the customary white robes worn by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, symbolizing a sacred or consecrated state

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Etymology

Origin of ihram

First recorded in 1695–1705, ihram is from the Arabic word iḥrām literally, prohibition

Example Sentences

Pilgrims must enter a state of spiritual purity, known as ihram, for the Hajj.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2023

Wearing masks and the ihram, the pilgrim’s seamless white garment, they each threw seven stones at a pillar symbolising Satan, taking them from sealed bags provided by the authorities.

From The Guardian • Jul. 20, 2021

The students dressed in the all-white ihram, the customary, equalizing plain clothing worn by pilgrims, and studied the special prayers we’d all hoped to one day repeat around the real thing.

From Slate • Jul. 27, 2020

The pilgrimage attracts Muslims from all over the world and every walk of life, but once they enter the state of ihram, everyone appears and is treated as an equal.

From Washington Times • Feb. 27, 2020

I was not less pleased myself, being much in want of a fire after such a drenching, with only the scanty covering of the ihram.

From Travels in Arabia; comprehending an account of those territories in Hedjaz which the Mohammedans regard as sacred by Burckhardt, John Lewis