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

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

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

A recent attempt by the government in India's northern state of Punjab to introduce a tougher law punishing sacrilege against the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, has triggered a controversy.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

In Punjab, where religion and politics have long been intertwined, political leaders across party lines have traditionally responded to its directives on matters affecting the Sikh faith, making its views difficult for governments to ignore.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

This contrasted with a long-standing Sikh tradition that, by as early as 1711, held Aurangzeb responsible for persecuting their spiritual leaders and community.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

Now I look at him and think Sikh.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Sikhs regard it not only as their holy scripture but also as their eternal living Guru.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Of the thousands of newly recognised dead, around 25% are Sikhs, another 25% Hindus, with around 40% having been Muslim.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 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

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