mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a building used for public worship by Muslims

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Floral motifs appear throughout the mosque’s floors and walls, while columns rise like flower stems, each inlaid with mother-of-pearl and semi-precious stones that climb toward capitals shaped like palm fronds. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

As groundwater shrinks, those like Jan who can afford the upfront cost keep digging deeper; those who can’t rely on expensive tanker water or hand pumps at mosques. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Over the following weeks, Morsi’s supporters camped and protested in eastern Cairo near the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Faith does not only exist in the mosque — the real world is where it is tested, where reliance can falter, and where holes begin to emerge. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier mosquee, from Middle French, from Old Italian moschea, from Old Spanish mezquita, from Arabic masjid temple, from sajada to prostrate oneself, worship

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mosque

• bosque
• kiosk

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Kids Definition

mosque

noun

ˈmäsk 

: a Muslim place of worship