Muharram
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is Muharram? Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It’s also spelled Moharram. It is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that Muslims consider sacred. The first day of Muharram is the first day of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of Muharram is Ashura, which is an important day for both Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims.
Etymology
Origin of Muharram
First recorded in 1605–15; from Arabic muḥarram “forbidden,” from ḥarama “to prohibit, deny”; see also harem ( def. )
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.
The arrest of Muharram, who has not yet commented, was made possible thanks to a series of intelligence-led operations, the agency said.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
However, Muharram processions continued to be allowed elsewhere in the Indian-controlled portion.
From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2023
Last year when the Muharram procession overlapped with a Hindu festival, Muslim leaders changed the timing of their march to avoid confrontation.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023
As Shiites, they were observing Muharram, to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2022
This highly distressing situation threatens to worsen during Muharram and Safar.
From Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950–1957 by Shoghi Effendi
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.
