Shiite

1 of 2

noun (1)

Shi·​ite ˈshē-ˌīt 

: a Muslim of the Shia branch of Islam

Shiite adjective

Shiʽite

2 of 2

noun (2)

Shiʽ·​ite

variants or Shiite

-ˌīt 

plural -s

: a Muslim belonging to the Shiʽa branch of Islam

Examples of Shiite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

She’s especially revered in Shiite Islam because of her kinship with the imams. — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026

The group is named after its founder, Hussein al-Houthi, and draws from the Zaydi branch of Shiite Islam. — Richard Hall, Time, 28 Mar. 2026

The statement from Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli represented a rare call for violence by an ayatollah, one of the highest ranks within the clergy of Shiite Islam. — Jon Gambrell, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026

The statement from Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli represented a rare call for violence by an ayatollah, one of Shiite Islam’s highest clerical ranks. — Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026

And martyrs are exalted in Shiite Islam, Iran’s prevalent faith. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

Iran has become the epicenter of Shiite Islam, which is the official state religion. — Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Arabic shiyaʽīy partisan, Shiʽite, from shīʽah following, sect, from shāʽa to accompany

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1728, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1728, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Shiite

• bight
• bite
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight

Kids Definition

Shiite

noun

Shi·​ite

variants or Shi'ite

ˈshē-ˌīt

plural Shiites or Shi'ites

: a Muslim who is a member of the Shia branch of Islam