imam
Americannoun
-
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.
noun
-
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
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing imam
I Am Malala
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
English Words Derived from Arabic
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
World Religions
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It is extremely outrageous to target a place of worship," the imam added.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
She told her the imam would give her advice.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
After 9/11, Enchassi felt a calling to become an imam.
From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026
An imam standing on a plastic stool delivered a short sermon.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
We sat cross-legged listening to the imam until the time came to pray.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
