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 In the midst of this unpopular move, a concerned lama (Kelsang Choejey) requests that his disciple Tashi (Tandin Wangchuk) find two guns before the full moon rises. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024 But there have always been complaints that the selections of lamas have been about politics and sometimes corruption. David Pierson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 There had been 1,500 lamas here in the 19th century; there were fewer than 50 today. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 It is considered insensitive and disrespectful, almost as if the community is eagerly anticipating the lama’s death. Lobsang Sangay, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023 Historically, Tibetan lamas have often come from nobility. David Pierson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 He’s first seen strolling through photogenic golden fields, circling a stone stupa on his way to visit an elderly lama (real-deal lama Kelsang Choejey). Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2023 The request would bind the lama closer to the people he was meant to lead. David Pierson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 Nowadays, the landlocked nation sandwiched between Russia and China is overwhelmingly Buddhist, with traditional links to Tibet’s leading lamas, including the Dalai Lama. Nicole Winfield and Saruul Enkhbold, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near lama

Cite this Entry

“Lama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lama. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lama

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lama

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