mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a building used for public worship by Muslims

Did you know?

Mosques were known to the English-speaking world long before we called them mosques. In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, we used many different variations of the word—moseak, muskey, moschy, mos’keh, among others—until we finally hit on mosquee, emulating Middle French. The Middle French word had come by way of Italian and Old Spanish from the Arabic word for "temple," which is masjid. In the early 1700s, we settled on the present spelling, and mosque thus joined other English words related to Muslim worship: mihrab, for the special niche in a mosque that points towards Mecca; minaret, for the tall slender tower of a mosque; and muezzin, for the crier who, standing in the minaret, calls the hour of daily prayers.

Examples of mosque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 12-chamber mosque is carved into the rock, and a shaft of daylight is cast onto two sacred wooden poles below. — Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Houses were rebuilt over the remains of earlier houses, incorporating old walls and materials into new construction; basilicas became churches and churches became mosques; obsolete city walls and fortifications became boulevards and promenades. — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

The group, which represents dozens of mosques and Muslim organizations across South Florida, also encouraged people to look up their early voting sites on a convenient voting information landing page. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026

In Frisco, Texas, opposition to Hindu temples and a mosque fueled claims of an Indian takeover, and a protester tore apart an Indian flag near City Hall. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier mosquee, from Middle French, from Old Italian moschea, from Old Spanish mezquita, from Arabic masjid temple, from sajada to prostrate oneself, worship

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mosque

• bosque
• kiosk

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Kids Definition

mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a Muslim place of worship