variants
or sardar
1
a
: a person of high rank (such as a hereditary noble) especially in India
b
: the commander of the Anglo-Egyptian army
2
: one (such as a foreman) holding a responsible position especially in India
Examples of sirdar in a Sentence
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Kanchha, then 19 years old, saw the teams passing through Namche on their way to the mountain and noticed Tenzing Norgay, the charismatic sirdar (foreman) of the expeditions’ high-altitude porters.
—
Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, 17 June 2019
In 1992, Lakpa Rita was working his first season as a sirdar, or head Sherpa, for AAI.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, 16 May 2018
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Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, 17 June 2019
In 1992, Lakpa Rita was working his first season as a sirdar, or head Sherpa, for AAI.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside Online, 16 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Sirdar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sirdar. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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