imam

noun

i-ˈmäm 

ē-, 

-ˈmam 

variants often Imam

1

: the prayer leader of a mosque

2

: a Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad

3

: any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region

Examples of imam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sadeq, a 45-year-old whose clerical salt-and-pepper beard and calming mien manifested his upbringing as the son of Nabatieh’s imam and a scion of the city, spoke of the need for Lebanon’s Shiites to formulate a way beyond the conflicts that have marked their history. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026

During last week's Friday prayers, imams in mosques in Herat issued announcements on behalf of the vice and virtue ministry that women were not allowed to leave their homes without wearing the hijab. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

But Kadous says that users are also asking Ansari to help guide them through difficult times, which concerns him, because the questions would be better directed at an imam or another community member. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 May 2026

Speaking at a news conference with San Diego police and the FBI the day after the shooting, the Islamic Center’s imam said the mosque was accustomed to receiving hate mail, hateful messages online and hearing passing drivers scream and curse at community members. — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Arabic imām

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1