Islam

noun

Is·​lam is-ˈläm 

iz-,

-ˈlam 

ˈis-ˌläm,

ˈiz-,

-ˌlam

1

: the religious faith of Muslims including belief in Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as his prophet

2

a

: the civilization erected upon Islamic faith

b

: the group of modern nations in which Islam is the dominant religion

Islamic

is-ˈlä-mik 

iz-

-ˈla-

adjective

Islamics

is-ˈlä-miks 

iz-

-ˈla-

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Prior to the sentence, Saipov spoke in Uzbek via a translator for nearly an hour about the history of Islam and offered a justification of his crimes, showing no indication of remorse. —Lauren Del Valle, CNN, 17 May 2023

Apparent wariness among some conservative voters of Kilicdaroglu’s identity as an Alevi — a more mystical, universalist sect of Islam that was persecuted in the past in what is a heavily Sunni Muslim nation — also appears to have been a factor. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 May 2023

Jahid Islam, who was working in the store at the time, told ABC News that Jordan entered the store at roughly 10:50 p.m. and asked for a phone to call the police. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 May 2023

Since Arabs conquered Egypt in the seventh century, bringing the Arabic language and Islam with them, Egyptians have shared more cultural, religious and linguistic ties with the predominantly Arab and Muslim Middle East and North Africa than with the rest of Africa. —Vivian Yee, New York Times, 10 May 2023

Weeks before, Malcolm X had announced his break with the Nation of Islam and its leader, Elijah Muhammad, and his willingness to work with other civil rights leaders. —Gillian Brockell, Anchorage Daily News, 10 May 2023

Peers representing Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Judaism had key responsibilities in a ceremony that skillfully celebrated a multi-faith society amidst the ritual of Christian Holy Communion. —Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 9 May 2023

Members of the Telegram channel allegedly shared opinions insulting Islam. —Mostafa Salem, CNN, 8 May 2023

Her name signals her devotion to Islam—the prophet Muhammad had a daughter called Fatima. —Edward Ball, The New York Review of Books, 4 May 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Arabic islām submission (to the will of God)

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Islam

noun

Is·​lam is-ˈläm  iz- 

-ˈlam;

ˈis-ˌläm,

ˈiz-ˌläm,

-ˌlam

1

: a religion marked by belief in Allah as the sole deity, in Muhammad as his prophet, and in the Koran

2

a

: the civilization erected upon Islamic faith

b

: the modern nations in which Islam is the dominant religion

Islamic

is-ˈläm-ik 

iz-

-ˈlam-

adjective