Mahdi

UK: /ˈmɑːdɪ/ US: (mä′dē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Mah•di  (mä′dē), n., pl. -dis. 

1. Eastern Religions the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.
2. Eastern Religions any of various claimants to this role, esp. Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

• Arabic mahdīy he who is guided
• 1790–1800;

Mah′dism  (mä′diz əm), n.  Mah′dist, n., adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Mahdi / ˈmɑːdɪ/ noun

1. the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)
2. any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all humankind to Islam

Etymology: Arabic mahdīy one who is guided, from madā to guide aright

ˈMahdism noun

ˈMahdist noun , adjective