minaret

noun

min·​a·​ret ˌmi-nə-ˈret 

ˈmi-nə-ˌret

: a tall slender tower of a mosque having one or more balconies from which the summons to prayer is cried by the muezzin

Illustration of minaret

Examples of minaret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Approaching Istanbul by water offers a sense of the city’s geography that is difficult to appreciate from the streets, with Europe and Asia divided by the Bosporus and minarets rising above the waterfront. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

The city of Cairo combines old minarets with office buildings and glass skyscrapers. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Inspired by the Alhambra in Spain’s Granada, the mosque has a 33-meter (108-foot)-high minaret that overlooks the Seine River — complementing but not overshadowing the twin towers of nearby Notre Dame Cathedral. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

City records show that decades ago, in the course of repairs after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, at least one minaret was removed. — Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Turkish minare, from Arabic manāra lighthouse

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for minaret

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet

Kids Definition

minaret

noun

min·​a·​ret ˌmin-ə-ˈret 

ˈmin-ə-ˌret

: a tall slender tower of a mosque with a balcony from which the people are called to prayer