Pahlavi
1 Americannoun
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the Indo-European, Iranian language of the Zoroastrian literature of the 3rd to the 10th centuries.
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the script used in writing this language, derived from the Aramaic alphabet.
noun
plural
Pahlavis-
Muhammad Riza (or Reza) 1919–80, shah of Iran 1941–79; in exile after 1979 (son of Riza Shah Pahlavi).
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Riza (or Reza) Shah, 1877–1944, shah of Iran 1925–41.
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(lowercase) a former gold coin of Iran, equal to 20 rials.
noun
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Mohammed Reza (ˈriːzə). 1919–80, shah of Iran (1941–79); forced into exile (1979) during civil unrest following which an Islamic republic was established led by the Ayatollah Khomeini
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his father, Reza. 1877–1944, shah of Iran (1925–41). Originally an army officer, he gained power by a coup d'état (1921) and was chosen shah by the National Assembly. He reorganized the army and did much to modernize Iran
noun
Etymology
Origin of Pahlavi
First recorded in 1765–75, Pahlavi is from the Persian word Pahlavī Parthian
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.
Her father and mother often argue about Pahlavi, she adds.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the last shah of Iran and pretender to the throne, was a scheduled speaker, and the event was packed with Iranian monarchists.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
In 1979 Americans immediately felt the malign effects of that year’s Islamic revolution, which replaced the autocratic but modernizing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Others have clamored for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah, to return.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
For starters, the Pahlavi family was ridiculously rich, and shamelessly extravagant with their money.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
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.
