Sikh

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈsēk ˈsik

: an adherent of a monotheistic religion of India founded about 1500 by Guru Nānak and marked by rejection of idolatry and caste

Sikhism

ˈsē-ˌki-zəm

noun

Sikh

2 of 3

adjective

: of or relating to Sikhs or Sikhism

Sikhism

3 of 3

: a radically monotheistic religion of India founded about 1500 in the Punjab and characterized by its worship of one deity, by its allegiance to sacred scriptures, and by its witness to a line of 10 personal gurus until the guruship was transferred in 1708 compare khalsa sense 2, nanakpanthi

Examples of Sikh 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.

Noun

Nowak was white, and his killer was of a Sikh, South Asian background. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 Britain’s Sikh community is already seeking to calm the tensions. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Adjective

On Monday, the killer, a Sikh man, was sentenced to life in prison over the knife attack last December. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 7 June 2026 Sikh motorcycle clubs have sprouted around the country as a means of social bonding in addition to recreation. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for Sikh

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

Hindi & Urdu, literally, disciple

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1756, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Sikh was in 1756

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

siker

Sikh

Sikhism

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Kids Definition

Sikh

noun

ˈsēk

: a believer in a religion of India that was founded about 1500 and that believes in one God and rejects idols and caste

Sikhism

-ˌiz-əm

noun

Sikh

noun (1)

adjective

noun (2)

Examples of Sikh in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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