Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Mahdi

American  
[mah-dee] / ˈmɑ di /

noun

plural

Mahdis
  1. the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.

  2. any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.


Mahdi British  
/ ˈmɑːdɪ /

noun

  1. the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)

  2. Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

"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

Other Word Forms

  • Mahdism noun
  • Mahdist noun

Etymology

Origin of Mahdi

First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

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.

Mogadishu police chief Moalim Mahdi told reporters that "we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people" and urged "patience for each other as you cast your vote".

From Barron's

Mr Durma's ancestors were related to the Mahdi, a 19th Century leader who created the foundations of the Sudanese state and an influential religious movement.

From BBC

For months, Nimisha's relatives and supporters have been trying to do this by raising diyah, or blood money, to be paid to Mahdi's family, and negotiations have been going on.

From BBC

Mahdi Manji, director of public policy at the Inner City Law Center, said that by not allowing affordable housing in the single-family-home areas, the rezoning proposal is “playing at the edges” of integrating communities.

From Los Angeles Times

“For every wise player, there comes a moment when the cost benefit calculation shifts and all strategies are reset,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, the chief adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament.

From New York Times