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