Shiite

noun

Shi·​ite ˈshē-ˌīt How to pronounce Shiite (audio)
: a Muslim of the Shia branch of Islam
Shiite adjective

Examples of Shiite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She’s especially revered in Shiite Islam because of her kinship with the imams. — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026 The group is named after its founder, Hussein al-Houthi, and draws from the Zaydi branch of Shiite Islam. — Richard Hall, Time, 28 Mar. 2026 The statement from Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli represented a rare call for violence by an ayatollah, one of the highest ranks within the clergy of Shiite Islam. — Jon Gambrell, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026 The statement from Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli represented a rare call for violence by an ayatollah, one of Shiite Islam’s highest clerical ranks. — Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026 And martyrs are exalted in Shiite Islam, Iran’s prevalent faith. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026 Iran has become the epicenter of Shiite Islam, which is the official state religion. — Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Shiite was in 1728

Rhymes for Shiite

See All Rhymes for Shiite

Browse Nearby Words

shiitake
Shiite
Shijiazhuang
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shiite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shiite. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Shiite

noun
Shi·​ite
variants or Shi'ite
ˈshē-ˌīt
plural Shiites or Shi'ites
: a Muslim who is a member of the Shia branch of Islam
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All