mihrab

noun

mih·​rab ˈmē-rəb How to pronounce mihrab (audio)
: a niche or chamber in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca

Examples of mihrab 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.
While most conquerors promptly razed previous places of worship to erect their own, Mértola's Christian victors simply repurposed an existing mosque; the original horseshoe arches are intact, and the mihrab now houses an altar. — Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Dec. 2023 Workers squeezed a bland wooden minbar into a corner of the nave and a mihrab into a nearby portico, drew panels and screens to obscure the dazzling 13th-century Christian frescoes looking down from the vaults and the dome, and unfurled a red carpet over the marble floor. — The Economist, 11 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

Arabic miḥrāb

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mihrab was in 1669

Rhymes for mihrab

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Browse Nearby Words

Mihajlović
mihrab
mikado
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mihrab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mihrab. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mihrab

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