[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/imam.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / imam

[← I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/I/)

# imam

«imam» in Mova's school dictionary: **the person who leads prayers in a mosque and often…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

### part of speech

noun (an imam, imams)

### meaning for a pupil

1) (Islam) An imam is the person who leads prayers in a mosque and often teaches and gives advice to Muslims. [tree →](https://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/#m2)

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

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «imam» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imam/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.