lama

noun

la·​ma ˈlä-mə How to pronounce lama (audio)
plural lamas
: a Tibetan Buddhist monk

Examples of 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.
At a monastery in the Himalayan foothills, a teenage Buddhist lama blesses thousands. — CBS News, 28 May 2026 But the dalai lama’s reincarnation hasn’t always been found in Tibet. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 3 July 2025 In the doorway at the back of the altar room that led to the kitchen, the household staff stood watching, bringing hot water for the lamas to drink during breaks. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 Mikko Rantanen turned his contract situation into a drama lama. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lama

Word History

Etymology

Tibetan blama

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lama was in 1841

Rhymes for lama

See All Rhymes for lama

Browse Nearby Words

Lam
lama
Lamaism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

lama

noun
la·​ma ˈläm-ə How to pronounce lama (audio)
: a Lamaist monk

More from Merriam-Webster on lama

Nglish: Translation of lama for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lama

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