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
Examples of caliph in a Sentence
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Spaghetti With Roasted Tomato-Almond Pesto A century after the last caliph
Who is Jason Palmer, the Democrat who beat Biden in American Samoa’s caucuses?
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Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Its territorial expansion led jihadi groups in more than ten countries to pledge allegiance to the new caliph.
—Nelly Lahoud, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2021
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
By the mid-tenth century, the caliph reigned only in name with local warlords, predominantly Turkic, holding most of the power.
—Mohammed Ayoob, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2016
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Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Its territorial expansion led jihadi groups in more than ten countries to pledge allegiance to the new caliph.
—Nelly Lahoud, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2021
In addition to their roles as calligraphers, Aisha’s family also safeguards a legendary and dangerous book belonging to the caliph.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 May 2024
By the mid-tenth century, the caliph reigned only in name with local warlords, predominantly Turkic, holding most of the power.
—Mohammed Ayoob, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2016
See all Example Sentences for caliph
Dictionary Entries Near caliph
Cite this Entry
“Caliph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caliph. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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