pasha

noun

pa·​sha ˈpä-shə How to pronounce pasha (audio)
ˈpa-;
pə-ˈshä,
-ˈshȯ How to pronounce pasha (audio)
variants or less commonly bashaw
bə-ˈshȯ How to pronounce pasha (audio)
: a man of high rank or office (as in Turkey or northern Africa)

Examples of pasha 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.
Most Ukrainians are fed up with the Party of Regions' ostentatious wealth and growing abuse of office, especially in the provinces, where local kingpins behave like pashas. — Rajan Menon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2011 There were pay disparities in Lopez’s early movie career that can only be attributed to Hollywood pashas believing a brown woman could not bring in big box office. — Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Turkish paşa

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pasha was in 1648

Rhymes for pasha

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Cite this Entry

“Pasha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pasha. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pasha

noun
pa·​sha ˈpäsh-ə How to pronounce pasha (audio) ˈpash-ə How to pronounce pasha (audio)
pə-ˈshä
: an official (as in Turkey or northern Africa) of high rank

More from Merriam-Webster on pasha

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pasha

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