Dalai Lama

noun

Da·​lai La·​ma ˌdä-lī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
ˌdä-lā-,
ˌda-
: the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism

Examples of Dalai Lama 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.
In 2022, the Dalai Lama offered blessings to the new khenmo, who received their titles in the Sakya school. Darcie Price-Wallace, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2025 The Dalai Lama has advocated digital outreach among Buddhist monks, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints posts words of inspiration and adherents' personal testimonies for its 1.4 million Instagram followers. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025 Cinematography for Wisdom of Happiness is by long-time Dalai Lama documentarian Manuel Bauer. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2025 And the feeling of smallness and humility in the company of greatness moved me to tears of joy during an audience with His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Dalai Lama

Word History

Etymology

Mongolian dalai ocean

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dalai Lama was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

“Dalai Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dalai%20Lama. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Biographical Definition

Dalai Lama

biographical name

Da·​lai La·​ma ˈdä-ˌlī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
1935–     Tenzin Gyatso Tibetan religious and political leader

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