variants
or less commonly calif
: a successor of Muhammad as temporal (see temporal entry 1 sense 1c) and spiritual head of Islam
—used as a title
Examples of caliph in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its territorial expansion led jihadi groups in more than ten countries to pledge allegiance to the new caliph.
—
Nelly Lahoud, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2021
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
By the mid-tenth century, the caliph reigned only in name with local warlords, predominantly Turkic, holding most of the power.
—Mohammed Ayoob, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2016
The persistence of some sort of Ottoman caliph would have had more immediate implications for modern Turkey.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caliph 
Nelly Lahoud, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2021
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
By the mid-tenth century, the caliph reigned only in name with local warlords, predominantly Turkic, holding most of the power.
—Mohammed Ayoob, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2016
The persistence of some sort of Ottoman caliph would have had more immediate implications for modern Turkey.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for caliph
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caliph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near caliph
Cite this Entry
“Caliph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliph. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
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