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.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, assumed his role in 1940. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025 Originally a traditional Vietnamese restaurant, after a family trip to meet the Dalai Lama, the Curtis Park restaurant became fully vegetarian in 2004. Irene Milanez, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025 Celebrations are being held for the current Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, an Indian town on the edge of the Himalayas. Britt Clennett, ABC News, 7 July 2025 Marking a milestone: Thousands gathered to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in Dharamshala. Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 7 July 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 14 Jul. 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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