Sikh

American  

[seek, sik] / sik, sɪk /

noun

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

• Sikhism noun

Etymology

Origin of Sikh

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

Example Sentences

She led a Sikh prayer at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"We won't be silenced," the chairman of the Sikh Federation of Canada told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

He added that representatives from the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities had attended the event, and the "feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Across the U.S. there are about 150,000 Sikh truck drivers, according to the Sikh Coalition, a nonprofit group.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Now I look at him and think Sikh.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

Related Words

• adherent
• believer
• devotee