emir

noun

i-ˈmir How to pronounce emir (audio)
ā-
variants or or less commonly ameer
Synonyms of emirnext
: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries

Examples of emir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her cousins and aunt were ransomed and released in Lebanon; Caroline was taken separately, chosen by an ISIS emir, and has never been found. Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was on stage in Doha in 2022. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025 Building on the site commenced in the 13th century under the instruction of Ibn al-Ahmar, the first member of the Nasrid family to be emir of Granada, and the sprawling compound was used by the emirs until Isabella and Ferdinand conquered the city in 1492. Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 Trump spoke midweek with Qatar’s emir for an update on the conversations. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emir

Word History

Etymology

Arabic amīr commander

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emir was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emir. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

emir

noun
: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries
Etymology

from Arabic amīr "commander"

More from Merriam-Webster on emir

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!