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Mosques were known to the English-speaking world long before we called them mosques. In the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, we used many different variations of the word—moseak, muskey, moschy, mos’keh, among others—until we finally hit on mosquee, emulating Middle French. The Middle French word had come by way of Italian and Old Spanish from the Arabic word for "temple," which is masjid. In the early 1700s, we settled on the present spelling, and mosque thus joined other English words related to Muslim worship: mihrab, for the special niche in a mosque that points towards Mecca; minaret, for the tall slender tower of a mosque; and muezzin, for the crier who, standing in the minaret, calls the hour of daily prayers.
Examples of mosque in a Sentence
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Dec. 2024
As usual, great amounts of marble were hauled off over the millennia to build churches and mosques, and for home use.
—John Oseid, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
In August, Musk criticized Starmer over his statement that ensured safety of Muslim communities and mosques in the country.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 25 Nov. 2024
Canary-yellow Hezbollah flags ring the mosque’s rooftop, crowning a façade of brilliant blue tiles, which, on a recent visit, shimmered in a cool November sun.
—Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near mosque
Cite this Entry
“Mosque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mosque. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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mosque
noun
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