Main Entry: imam

Pronunciation: \i-ˈmäm, ē-ˈ, -ˈmam\

Function: noun

Usage: often capitalized

Etymology: Arabic imām

Date: 1613

1 : the prayer leader of a mosque
2 : a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad
3 : any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region