imam Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Islam) the man who leads prayers in a mosque; for Shiites an imam is a recognized authority on Islamic theology and law and a spiritual guide
    imaum.

WordNet

I*mam", I*man", I*maum" noun (Also<
  • Imam
  • Iman
  • Imaum
)
Etymology
Ar. imam.
Definitions
  1. Among the Mohammedans, a minister or priest who performs the regular service of the mosque.
  2. A Mohammedan prince who, as a successor of Mohammed, unites in his person supreme spiritual and temporal power.

Webster 1913