mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a building used for public worship by Muslims

Did you know?

Mosques were known to the English-speaking world long before we called them mosques. In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, we used many different variations of the word—moseak, muskey, moschy, mos’keh, among others—until we finally hit on mosquee, emulating Middle French. The Middle French word had come by way of Italian and Old Spanish from the Arabic word for "temple," which is masjid. In the early 1700s, we settled on the present spelling, and mosque thus joined other English words related to Muslim worship: mihrab, for the special niche in a mosque that points towards Mecca; minaret, for the tall slender tower of a mosque; and muezzin, for the crier who, standing in the minaret, calls the hour of daily prayers.

Examples of mosque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, dozens of people were kidnapped from a mosque in a spate of abductions at several villages in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state. — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Building the mosque With partial funding in place, the Society of Habous needed a building site. — Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

During the meeting, speakers also made anti-Islamic comments about the mosque. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Well, there are neighborhoods, there are mosques – go and work on it there! — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier mosquee, from Middle French, from Old Italian moschea, from Old Spanish mezquita, from Arabic masjid temple, from sajada to prostrate oneself, worship

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mosque

• bosque
• kiosk

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Kids Definition

mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a Muslim place of worship