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.
The film concerns the young life of the 14th Dalai Lama. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025 Across his two offices and his home are pictures of Book with Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Buffett, Alonzo Mourning, Jeb Bush, Jimmy Carter, Dwyane Wade, Ron DeSantis, Michael J. Fox, the Dalai Lama and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to name a few. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 Like the Pope or the Dalai Lama, when one Star dies, another Star is named. Hank Sanders, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2025 The most important figure in determining the new reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is the second-highest authority in the Gelug sect, the Panchen Lama. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 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 5 Apr. 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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