imam Definition

imam
noun

1. A leader of prayers in a mosque.
2. A title given to various Muslim leaders, eg a Shiite religious leader believed to be a direct successor of the prophet Muhammad or a learned Muslim theologian.

Form: Imam

Derivative: imamate

The territory governed by an imam.

The office, or period of office, of an imam.

Etymology: 17c: Arabic, meaning ‘chief' or ‘leader', from amma to precede.