imam

[ ih-mahm ]

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.

imam

/ 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

Other Words From

• i·mamship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imam¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of imam¹

C17: from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided

Example Sentences

It was there, in the neighborhood of the West End, that he became an organizer again, building a small Muslim community, opening a grocery store and eventually being chosen as the imam.

From Time

An imam from an Annandale mosque has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting an underage girl who sought his help in 2015, Fairfax County police said Tuesday.

From Washington Post

Shirzadi served as the imam at the mosque for the past nine years, police said.

From Washington Post

After his pardon and release, the imam gave interviews in which he disavowed his extremist past.

From Washington Post

The fiery imam Mohammed el Fazazi was notorious in Europe and North Africa for his sermons urging Muslims to embrace violent jihad.

From Washington Post

Imam Bheel, as locals call him, was added to a list of worldwide traffickers subject to U.S. sanctions in 2009.

From The Daily Beast

Imam Enchassi also noted that when Noor left the mosque, he had joined a local conservative group that spewed anti-Muslim views.

From The Daily Beast

In Germany, a prominent Muslim imam gave a sermon asking Allah to kill all of the “Zionist Jews.”

From The Daily Beast

Second, Imam Ali raised an issue that few have publicly discussed.

From The Daily Beast

After praying for forgiveness, Fotros was redeemed by the Imam Ali who gave him back his wings.

From The Daily Beast

During the last few years the Imam has kept the Czar well at bay.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the Sultan's first physician is called Hakim effendi, and the priest in the seraglio Imam effendi.

From Project Gutenberg

The Kajar Shahs had the right to kingship only in the absence of the Imam.

From Project Gutenberg

The man obstinately refused to show himself, however, even turning a deaf ear to the appeals of the village imam.

From Project Gutenberg

On the eve of the battle, he performed his devotions at Thous, before the tomb of the Imam Riza.

From Project Gutenberg