salaam
Americannoun
-
a salutation meaning “peace,” used especially in Islamic countries.
-
a very low bow or obeisance, especially with the palm of the right hand placed on the forehead.
verb (used with or without object)
noun
-
a Muslim form of salutation consisting of a deep bow with the right palm on the forehead
-
a salutation signifying peace, used chiefly by Muslims
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
salaamsimple
-
salaamssimple
-
have salaamedperfect
-
has salaamedperfect
-
am salaamingprogressive
-
are salaamingprogressive
-
is salaamingprogressive
-
have been salaamingperfect progressive
-
has been salaamingperfect progressive
Past
-
salaamedsimple
-
had salaamedperfect
-
was salaamingprogressive
-
were salaamingprogressive
-
had been salaamingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of salaam
First recorded in 1605–15; from Arabic salām “peace,” cognate with Hebrew shalom ( def. ), from common Semitic šalām
Vocabulary lists containing salaam
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2
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!
Muslim Empires and the Middle East - High School
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!
Muslim Empires and the Middle East - Middle School
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.
See Examples For:
Among the highlights of the show was La Bohème, a salaam to the Parisian neighbourhood Montmartre – and an Aznavour signature tune.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 2, 2018
Villagers greeted his mother, Raja Begam, with a respectful salaam.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2017
On Wednesday, the Kennedy Center named a half-dozen celebrities who will skewer and salaam before the die-hard stand-up comedian and retired “Tonight Show” host.
From Washington Post
Gordon loves the “We’re not worthy” line that Wayne and sidekick Garth salaam to Cooper in the film.
From Newsweek
I hear Thaya Jaan asking, so Baba hands over the tablet, and I say salaam.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
The book's only egregious fault is its beginning: there, the author salaams toward Oxford, Miss., as almost every new Southern writer has done for two decades.
From Time Magazine Archive
I say salaams to Nuah and good-bye to Tats and lie on the couch with my eyes wide open.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
There were salaams from the benches as people I knew from masjid inquired about Mama and Baba, told me that du'as had been made for their health, and asked if I needed anything.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
She follows me to the door, so I turn and kiss salaams on her cheeks, to disarm her from further questions.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Okay, give my salaams to your parents, and I will talk to you later.”
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
Italians still salaamed to his face on screens, his name on walls, but there were certain new mental reservations in their reverence.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was a Mecca to which diplomats either made pilgrimages or salaamed.
From Time Magazine Archive
One Teheran elector dropped his ballot in the box, then salaamed deeply three times to the container.
From Time Magazine Archive
The horses moved, the carriage passed close to me, and again I gazed at this mighty sovereign, while the Eastern pilgrims salaamed to the ground.
From The Near East Dalmatia, Greece and Constantinople by Hichens, Robert (Robert Smythe)
“Now it will not be necessary to try,” said Miss Minchin, acidly, as Ram Dass salaamed her out of the room. . . . . . .
From A Little Princess Being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time by Burnett, Frances Hodgson
In desperation, newsmen formed a crescent on Rita's lawn, fell to their knees, salaaming and pleading.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Welcome, O Prince," the old man exclaimed, salaaming when Omar stood before him.
From The Great White Queen A Tale of Treasure and Treason by Le Queux, William
I purchased two great sackfuls of oysters, a thousand in number, which were brought off to the government tug Active by salaaming peons from the government agent's office.
From East of Suez Ceylon, India, China and Japan by Penfield, Frederic Courtland
Around him were the gentlemen of his Court, salaaming to him and to each other with strictly Oriental etiquette, and mingled with them English officers, ladies and civilians.
From Fifty-One Years of Victorian Life by Child-Villiers, Margaret Elizabeth Leigh
"Hazur, thy servant's heart leaps for joy," said Ahmed, salaaming, and Minghal sprang to the saddle.
From Barclay of the Guides by Strang, Herbert
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.
