Sikh

[seek]

noun

a member of a monotheistic religion, founded in the Punjab c1500 by the guru Nanak, that refuses to recognize the Hindu caste system or the Brahmanical priesthood and forbids magic, idolatry, and pilgrimages.

adjective

of or relating to the Sikhs or to Sikhism.

Origin of Sikh

Borrowed into English from Hindi around 1750–60

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sikh

Contemporary Examples of sikh

“After my experiences in 1984, I felt that it was unsafe for me to live as a Sikh in India,” said Singh.
As 30-Year Anniversary of Mass Killings in India Arrives, Sikhs Find Safety in USA
Simran Jeet Singh
October 31, 2014
Note: Muslim and Sikh are not races but religions, and identifiers can be worn by people of any race.
How Not to Reply to a Racist Tweet
Tauriq Moosa
August 11, 2014
The teens then repeatedly punched the Sikh man, threw a bottle at him and ran off.
New York’s Sikhs Need Their Own Al Sharpton
Dean Obeidallah
August 8, 2014
And many of my Sikh friends have shared with me a history of racial slurs and menacing stares they have endured over the years.
New York’s Sikhs Need Their Own Al Sharpton
Dean Obeidallah
August 8, 2014
In 2004, two Sikh men were viciously beaten by young white assailants while walking on the sidewalk.
New York’s Sikhs Need Their Own Al Sharpton
Dean Obeidallah
August 8, 2014

Historical Examples of sikh

The Sikh wears his hair down to his waist; the Pathan shaves his head.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
The Sikh was to take hold a yard or two below him, and aid him as he swam.
Through Three Campaigns
G. A. Henty
The Sikh did as he was told, and Lisle turned to make for the shore they had left.
Through Three Campaigns
G. A. Henty
He felt the Sikh's grasp relaxing, and threw his arms round the man's neck.
Through Three Campaigns
G. A. Henty
The old Sikh shook his head slowly, a great tenderness in his eyes.
Captain Desmond, V.C.
Maud Diver

British Dictionary definitions for sikh

Sikh

noun

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

adjective

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

Derived FormsSikhism, noun

Word Origin for Sikh

C18: from Hindi, literally: disciple, from Sanskrit śiksati he studies

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

Word Origin and History for sikh

Sikh

1781, member of a politico-religious community established c.1500 in Punjab by Nanak Shah, from Hindi sikh "disciple," from Sanskrit siksati "studies, learns," related to saknoti "he is able, he is strong" (see Shakti).