variants
or less commonly calif
: a successor of Muhammad as temporal (see temporal entry 1 sense 1c) and spiritual head of Islam
—used as a title
Examples of caliph in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One group of Muslims supported Abu Bakr, a close companion of the prophet, as the first caliph – the successor to Muhammad and the leader of the Muslim community.
—
Massumeh H. Toosi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
Muawiya would play a central role in the first civil war in Islam following the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan.
—Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
Spaghetti With Roasted Tomato-Almond Pesto A century after the last caliph
Who is Jason Palmer, the Democrat who beat Biden in American Samoa’s caucuses?
—Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for caliph
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Massumeh H. Toosi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
Muawiya would play a central role in the first civil war in Islam following the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan.
—Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
Spaghetti With Roasted Tomato-Almond Pesto A century after the last caliph
Who is Jason Palmer, the Democrat who beat Biden in American Samoa’s caucuses?
—Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for caliph
Cite this Entry
“Caliph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliph. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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