: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries
Examples of emir in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The diamond has been previously owned by India's Mughal emperors, shahs of Iran, emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh maharajas, according to Reuters, citing the Historic Royal Palaces charity.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
In 2017, four regional rivals implemented a land and air blockade of Qatar, citing comments by its emir praising Iran as a great power.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Biden's wife, former first lady Jill Biden, received a bottle of Ormonde Jayne perfume and an 18-carat gold necklace with diamonds from the emir of Qatar and his spouse.
—Matthew Lee The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Her cousins and aunt were ransomed and released in Lebanon; Caroline was taken separately, chosen by an ISIS emir, and has never been found.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
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Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
In 2017, four regional rivals implemented a land and air blockade of Qatar, citing comments by its emir praising Iran as a great power.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Biden's wife, former first lady Jill Biden, received a bottle of Ormonde Jayne perfume and an 18-carat gold necklace with diamonds from the emir of Qatar and his spouse.
—Matthew Lee The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Her cousins and aunt were ransomed and released in Lebanon; Caroline was taken separately, chosen by an ISIS emir, and has never been found.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emir
Cite this Entry
“Emir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emir. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
emir
noun
i-ˈmi(ə)r 
ā-
: a ruler, chief, or commander in Islamic countries
Etymology
from Arabic amīr "commander"
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