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

Example Sentences

Can a prominent exiled imam critical of Mali's junta rally the population against the west African country's authoritarian rulers in the midst of jihadist expansion and economic crisis?

From Barron's

In July 2020, a Syrian intelligence officer had summoned the 60-year-old imam and asked him to help mediate a dispute between two local families.

From The Wall Street Journal

German newspaper Bild reported the Egyptian man was an imam at a mosque in the area.

From BBC

The Lebanese military has refused to inspect private properties, possibly in order not to be seen to be collaborating with Israel; in Beit Lif too, the imam said, they did not enter any houses.

From BBC

But he still speaks in the crystal-clear, melodious Arabic of one who studied literature, and recited the Quran daily as the imam of a local mosque.

From BBC