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# imam

noun (an imam, imams)

«imam» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (Islam) An imam is the person who leads prayers in a mosque and often teaches and gives advice to Muslims. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#m1)
2. (Islam, especially Shia) A title for an important religious leader descended from the Prophet Muhammad's family. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#m2)

### In the lessons

In religious education an imam leads Friday prayers at the mosque, gives a talk (sermon), and helps families with weddings and funerals. In the UK, USA and Australia many mosques have an imam who visits schools. Phrases: «the imam of the mosque», «the imam led the prayers».

### Examples

- The imam led the prayers at the mosque on Friday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x1)
- The imam visited our school to talk about Islam. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x2)
- Muslims stand in rows behind the imam when they pray. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x3)
- The imam gave a talk about kindness to neighbours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x4)
- The family asked the imam to help with the wedding. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x5)
- An imam studies the Qur'an for many years. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x6)
- Our RE class asked the imam questions about Ramadan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#x7)

### Note

Countable: imams. Pronounced ih-MAHM. Not the same as a priest: Muslims believe anyone knowledgeable may lead prayer. Begins with a vowel sound, so «an imam».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «imam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«imam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/imam.html) on Mova free.