imam

UK: /ɪˈmɑːm/ US: /ɪˈmɑm/ ,(i mäm′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

i•mam /ɪˈmɑm/   n. [countable]

1. Eastern Religions a Muslim official, esp. one in charge of a mosque.
2. Eastern Religions the title for a Muslim leader.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

i•mam  (i mäm′), n. [Islam.]

1. Eastern Religions the officiating priest of a mosque.
2. Eastern Religions the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief.
3. Eastern Religions one of a succession of seven or twelve religious leaders, believed to be divinely inspired, of the Shi‘ites.

Also, i•maum  (i mäm′, i môm′). 

• Arabic imām leader, guide
• 1605–15

i•mam′ship, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

imam / ɪˈmɑːm/, imaum / ɪˈmɑːm ɪˈmɔːm/ noun

1. a leader of congregational prayer in a mosque
2. a caliph, as leader of a Muslim community
3. any of a succession of either seven or twelve religious leaders of the Shiites, regarded by their followers as divinely inspired

Etymology: 17th Century: from Arabic: leader, from amma he guided