lama

noun

la·​ma ˈlä-mə How to pronounce lama (audio)
plural lamas
: a Tibetan Buddhist monk

Examples of 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.
During Sunday's ceremony, hundreds of red-robed monks and nuns joined the celebration as Tibetan musicians played traditional instruments and senior lamas struck cymbals in his honor. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 Historically, dalai lamas and panchen lamas have acted as mentors to each other and played a part in identifying or endorsing each other’s reincarnations – a close relationship likened by Tibetans to the sun and the moon. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025 Since annexing Tibet in the 1950s, Beijing has insisted that all reincarnations of high lamas—including the Dalai Lama—must receive government approval. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Shoes are scattered outside the Grand Sutra Hall, and inside, the chanting of hundreds of lamas resonates through the space. Liam Freeman, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lama

Word History

Etymology

Tibetan blama

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lama was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lama. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

lama

noun
la·​ma ˈläm-ə How to pronounce lama (audio)
: a Lamaist monk

More from Merriam-Webster on lama

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!