Sikh

American  

[seek, sik] / sik, sɪk /

noun

• Sikhs
  plural

1. a member of a monotheistic religion, founded in the Punjab about 1500 by the guru Nanak, that refuses to recognize the Hindu caste system or the Brahmanical priesthood and forbids magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or to their religion and practices.

Sikh British  

/ siːk /

noun

1. a member of an Indian religion that separated from Hinduism and was founded in the 16th century, that teaches monotheism and that has the Granth as its chief religious document, rejecting the authority of the Vedas

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sikhs or their religious beliefs and customs

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Sikhism
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Sikhs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Sikh

First recorded in 1750–60; from Hindi: literally, “disciple,” from Sanskrit śiṣya-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Sikh Sikhs

The attack comes after police confirmed last week that they were investigating threatening calls made to two Sikh gurdwaras in Calgary, two hours south of where Friday's attack took place.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

This is evident in the depiction of Kip, a Sikh man finding his way in the English world of colonialism.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

Jason, a 54-year-old window installer, has watched the city undergo this change, and has made Hindu and Sikh friends.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

It was originally titled, external Ghallughara, a Punjabi term associated with some of the darkest episodes in Sikh history.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

He was from India, and his beard and turban were signs of his Sikh religious beliefs.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Many Sikhs fled the violence to the U.S. and Canada.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

The Sikh Federation has said the larger blade carried by Digwa was not a kirpan, one of the articles of faith carried by Sikhs.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

Mousley said Digwa was carrying a knife in a sheath, as well as a second, larger dagger linked to his tradition as a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

The judge who sentenced Digwa said he was carrying a knife in a sheath, as well as a second, larger dagger linked to his tradition as a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

Everyone recoiled all at once—the Mussalmans, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, pagans, Sikhs, in my case an almost-Zoroastrian, and all-of-the-above in the case of Samir, the Seller of Dreams.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

• adherent
• believer
• devotee