Islam

noun

Is·​lam is-ˈläm How to pronounce Islam (audio)
iz-,
-ˈlam How to pronounce Islam (audio)
ˈis-ˌläm,
ˈiz-,
-ˌlam
1
: the religious faith of Muslims including belief in Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as his prophet
2
a
: the civilization erected upon Islamic faith
b
: the group of modern nations in which Islam is the dominant religion
Islamic
is-ˈlä-mik How to pronounce Islam (audio)
iz-
-ˈla-
adjective
Islamics
is-ˈlä-miks How to pronounce Islam (audio)
iz-
-ˈla-
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Examples of Islam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For decades Middle East Studies centers have been maligned as left-wing hotbeds that, in their critics’ view, are excessively hostile to Israel, overly friendly to Islam, and troublingly uninterested in terrorism. Lydia Kiesling, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025 Position hostility to Islam and Muslim immigration to Europe as a defense of European Jews, chiefly by blaming antisemitic violence on immigrants and their children. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025 During his run with the 145-pound belt, Volkanovski twice fought for the UFC lightweight belt, losing to Islam Makhachev in February and October 2023. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The attacks targeted the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam that the Assad family are members of, and which dominated their regime for over half a century until they were ousted. Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Islam

Word History

Etymology

Arabic islām submission (to the will of God)

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Islam was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Islam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Islam. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Islam

noun
Is·​lam is-ˈläm How to pronounce Islam (audio) iz- How to pronounce Islam (audio)
-ˈlam;
ˈis-ˌläm,
ˈiz-ˌläm,
-ˌlam
1
: a religion marked by belief in Allah as the sole deity, in Muhammad as his prophet, and in the Koran
2
a
: the civilization erected upon Islamic faith
b
: the modern nations in which Islam is the dominant religion
Islamic
is-ˈläm-ik How to pronounce Islam (audio)
iz-
-ˈlam-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Islam

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