minaret

noun

min·​a·​ret ˌmi-nə-ˈret 

ˈmi-nə-ˌret

: a tall slender tower of a mosque having one or more balconies from which the summons to prayer is cried by the muezzin

Illustration of minaret

Examples of minaret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its terrace overlooks the town, with the domes and crosses of Maaloula’s many churches and the minaret of a mosque rising from amid its simple homes. —Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

As the desert light dissolved and dissipated, turning the sky the colour of warmed honey before blackening entirely, a nearby minaret announced the maghrib prayer. —James Montague, New York Times, 18 May 2025

Massive windows frame cinematic views of the neighborhood’s rooftops and minarets, bringing in tons of natural light. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025

Only the lonely minarets, poking up out of the clutter, lend a bit of dignity to the slum. —Chris Hedges, Harpers Magazine, 15 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Turkish minare, from Arabic manāra lighthouse

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for minaret

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

minaret

noun

min·​a·​ret ˌmin-ə-ˈret 

ˈmin-ə-ˌret

: a tall slender tower of a mosque with a balcony from which the people are called to prayer