emir

noun

i-ˈmir How to pronounce emir (audio)
ā-
variants or amir or less commonly ameer
Synonyms of emirnext
: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries

Examples of emir 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 president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025 The emir’s gesture was explained as an act of respect, but angry TV pundits saw it as detracting from Argentina’s success. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 11 June 2026 The emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the last World Cup held in Qatar in 2022. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 12 June 2026 In 2017, four regional rivals implemented a land and air blockade of Qatar, citing comments by its emir praising Iran as a great power. — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emir

Word History

Etymology

Arabic amīr commander

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of emir was in 1542

Rhymes for emir

See All Rhymes for emir

Browse Nearby Words

E minor
emir
emirate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emir. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

emir

noun
i-ˈmi(ə)r How to pronounce emir (audio)
ā-
: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries
Etymology

from Arabic amīr "commander"

More from Merriam-Webster on emir

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for emir

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about emir

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