caliph

noun

ca·​liph ˈkā-ləf How to pronounce caliph (audio)
ˈka-ləf
variants or less commonly calif
: a successor of Muhammad as temporal (see temporal entry 1 sense 1c) and spiritual head of Islam
used as a title
caliphal adjective

Examples of caliph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The caliph — not wholly unlike the pontiff in Rome for Catholics — was the leading, unifying temporal authority of the Muslim world. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Iznogoud — France In Ancient Baghdad, its good-natured but idiotic caliph has no idea that his Machiavellian Grand Vizier Iznogoud spends his days scheming the perfect murder in order to usurp the throne. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 The mighty Ayyubid Sultan Saladin, a devout Sunni who took control of Egypt after the death of the last Fatimid caliph in 1171, waged war against the Syrian Nizaris, twice escaping assassins but ceasing his attacks soon thereafter. Nicholas Liu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023 In accordance with the Mongol prohibition against spilling royal blood, the last caliph with wide acceptance among a majority of Muslims was wrapped in a carpet and trampled to death. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Named after Egypt’s first Fatimid caliph in the 10th century, the street is lined with palaces, mosques, and monuments of Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman rulers. Nada El Sawy, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023 In 1058, a pro-Fatimid rebellion briefly captured Baghdad before being driven out by the Seljuk Turks, who had conquered much of the eastern Islamic world and established themselves as protectors of the Abbasid caliph and Sunni orthodoxy. Nicholas Liu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023 So when, in 680, Muawiya, the first caliph since Ali, died and the caliphate passed to his dissolute son, Yazid, the Shiat Ali implored Hussein to take his rightful place at the head of Islam. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 One popular story points to personal animus between Hasan and the caliph’s Armenian viziers. Nicholas Liu, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caliph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caliphe, from Middle French calife, from Arabic khalīfa successor

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caliph was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near caliph

Cite this Entry

“Caliph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliph. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

caliph

noun
ca·​liph
variants also calif
: an important Muslim political and religious leader
used as a title

More from Merriam-Webster on caliph

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