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

Examples of Islam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Poirier’s losses during that run came against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title and, most recently, opposite Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302 in June 2024. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Parents then sued, saying the books are at odds with their religions, which include Islam, Catholicism and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. —Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 28 June 2025

The event series is based on The Old Testament’s Book of Genesis and told through the eyes of the courageous and passionate yet flawed women whose descendants would shape three of the world’s great faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 June 2025

Eventually, people who converted from Islam would be expelled as well. —Flora Cassen, The Conversation, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Arabic islām submission (to the will of God)

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Islam

• aplomb
• balaam
• cocom
• embalm
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• balm
• bom
• bomb
• calm
• dom

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