Dalai Lama

noun

Da·​lai La·​ma ˌdä-lī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
ˌdä-lā-,
ˌda-
: the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism

Examples of Dalai Lama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Listen to this article San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas talks in calm and hushed tones, referencing Eastern philosophers ranging from the Dalai Lama to Vietnamese monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 Iyer is the author of more than a dozen books on subjects ranging from the Dalai Lama to globalism. Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Over the years the restaurant has served dignitaries like the Dalai Lama, Senator Hilary Clinton, the late Congressman John Lewis, and the late President Jimmy Carter. Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2025 Calls for clemency for Peltier came from the prosecutor who oversaw the case's appeal, famous figures like Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as human rights organizations including Amnesty International and the United Nations. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Dalai Lama

Word History

Etymology

Mongolian dalai ocean

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dalai Lama was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

“Dalai Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dalai%20Lama. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Biographical Definition

Dalai Lama

biographical name

Da·​lai La·​ma ˈdä-ˌlī-ˈlä-mə How to pronounce Dalai Lama (audio)
1935–     Tenzin Gyatso Tibetan religious and political leader

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