# imam

/ˈaɪmæm/ (US) · /ɪmˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imam
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. prayer leader

noun · CEFR B2

the person who leads the prayers in a mosque.

For teachers: the person who leads congregational worship and prayers (salat) in a mosque.

- The imam stood at the front of the mosque to lead the Friday prayers.
- After the afternoon prayer, the imam stayed behind to offer guidance to several members of the local community.

### 2. Shi'ite spiritual leader

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a title for a great leader in the Shi'ite branch of Islam who is a descendant of Muhammad.

For teachers: one of the divinely appointed successors to the Prophet Muhammad in Shi'ite theology, often capitalized as 'Imam'.

- The history of the Twelve Imams is central to their religious identity.
- Scholars debated the historical role of the third Imam in shaping the theological foundations of the sect.

Usage: Often capitalized when referring to specific historical figures in Shi'ite Islam.

## Examples

- The imam led the Friday prayers at the mosque.
- After the service, the imam stayed to offer guidance to several families in the community.
- The local imam was invited to the interfaith council to share his perspective on social justice and community cohesion within the city.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.