imam

American  

[ih-mahm] / ɪˈmɑm /

Also imaum

noun

Islam.

1. the officiating priest of a mosque.

2. the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief.

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

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imam British  

/ ɪˈmɑːm, ɪˈmɑːm, ɪˈmɔːm /

noun

1. a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque

2. a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• imamship noun

Etymology

Origin of imam

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

Explanation

An imam is a Muslim religious leader. If you’re curious about a mosque, go talk to the imam, the person who leads the prayers. For a Sunni Muslim, the imam is a religious leader who provides community service and sometimes counseling. To a Shi'a Muslim, an imam is even more important—he is one of the central religious figures. Shi'a believe that God has chosen the imam to be a "perfect example" to everyone else and that an imam is free from sin. The literal meaning of imam in Arabic is "one who proceeds," from amma, "to go before."

Example Sentences

After 9/11, Enchassi felt a calling to become an imam.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

"Life became very difficult," says Said Mohamud Ibrahim, the local imam, sitting on the floor of his mosque.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Khamenei was appointed to several posts: first as deputy defense minister, then imam for Tehran’s Friday prayers and, crucially, a supervisor for the Revolutionary Guard.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

A close associate of the imam told AFP that the movement deemed an end to the military junta "necessary".

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

He said that upon realizing that the rebels were in the village, everyone quickly and silently left the mosque, one at a time, leaving the imam by himself as he stood there leading the prayer.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah