imam

[ ih-mahm ]

/ ɪˈmɑm /

noun Islam.

the officiating priest of a mosque.

the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief.

one of a succession of seven or twelve religious leaders, believed to be divinely inspired, of the Shiʿites.

Nearby words

imagineer, imagineering, imaging, imagism, imago, imam, imamate, imambarah, imamite, imap, imare

Also i·maum

[ih-mahm, ih-mawm] /ɪˈmɑm, ɪˈmɔm/.

Origin of imam

First recorded in 1605–15, imam is from the Arabic word imām leader, guide

Related forms

i·mam·ship, noun

Can be confused

clergy cleric imam minister pastor priest rabbi

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for imam

Imam Bheel, as locals call him, was added to a list of worldwide traffickers subject to U.S. sanctions in 2009.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Imam Enchassi also noted that when Noor left the mosque, he had joined a local conservative group that spewed anti-Muslim views.
Megyn Kelly’s Really Scary Muslim|Dean Obeidallah|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Second, Imam Ali raised an issue that few have publicly discussed.
How We Stop the Next Boko Haram|Dean Obeidallah|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After praying for forgiveness, Fotros was redeemed by the Imam Ali who gave him back his wings.
Iran’s Drone War in Syria|Patrick Hilsman|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Prince Rahim is the oldest son of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Kate Upton Named Model of the Year; Alexander McQueen’s London Home for Sale|The Fashion Beast Team|September 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After dinner we and Imam Sharif had another serious council, finding ourselves in a regular fix.
Southern Arabia|Theodore Bent
But we have an Imam (leader) who is an infallible judge and needs no proofs.
Mystics and Saints of Islam|Claud Field
So do not hesitate a moment in the service of the imam who has given thee to know his felicity.'
Secret Societies of the Middle Ages|Thomas Keightley
According to Shiah doctrine, the rulership of the State by divine law belongs to the Imam.
Bahaism and Its Claims|Samuel Graham Wilson
Stalky asked of Imam Din, the servant, who came to attention on the marble floor.
Actions and Reactions|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for imam

imam

imaum (ɪˈmɑːm, ɪˈmɔːm)

/ (ɪˈmɑːm) /

noun Islam

a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque

a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community

an honorific title applied to eminent doctors of Islam, such as the founders of the orthodox schools

any of a succession of either seven or twelve religious leaders of the Shiites, regarded by their followers as divinely inspired

Word Origin for imam

C17: from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided

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