Dalai Lama

noun

Da·​lai La·​ma ˌdä-lī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
ˌdä-lā-,
ˌda-
: the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism

Examples of Dalai Lama 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.
But Beijing’s strategy ignores a crucial fact about the Dalai Lama’s role in the Tibetan freedom struggle. Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025 His formula involves the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Friedrich Nietzsche, the Dalai Lama, and many others. Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025 More recent heroes — including a Camel Trophy Defender 110 and the Longitude Expedition Discovery II (bearing the Dalai Lama’s blessing on its bonnet) — reminded visitors that Land Rover’s DNA is rooted in discovery. Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 The Chinese Communist Party has waged a decades-long campaign to discredit the current Dalai Lama and erase his presence from Tibetan life, while tightening restrictions on religious and cultural practices. Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Dalai Lama

Word History

Etymology

Mongolian dalai ocean

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dalai Lama was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

“Dalai Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dalai%20Lama. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Biographical Definition

Dalai Lama

biographical name

Da·​lai La·​ma ˈdä-ˌlī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
1935–     Tenzin Gyatso Tibetan religious and political leader

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