What does masjid mean?
Masjid is a noun denoting a Muslim place of worship, particularly the mosque as it is commonly called in South and Southeast Asia. The word is established in English-speaking Muslim communities in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and it also appears in British and US English, especially in discussion of Islam and diaspora communities. Within these contexts it is neither formal nor archaic: it is an ordinary, widely understood name for a building used for prayer, religious instruction, community gatherings, and charitable activities. Speakers accustomed to the term mosque may regard masjid as more regionally specific, but it carries the same basic meaning. In South Asian English, the plural masajid is also common, whereas masajids follows general English plural formation. Masjid ultimately comes from Arabic and is associated with the act of prostration during prayer, giving the word a direct connection to the worship practiced within the building.
nounA Muslim place of worship, especially a mosque as commonly called in South and Southeast Asia.
- A Muslim place of worship, especially in South and Southeast Asia.
"The community gathered at the masjid for Friday prayers."
"The congregation listened to the sermon inside the masjid."
"The new masjid provides facilities for women and children as well as a prayer hall."
Masajid is widely used as an invariant plural in South Asian English, although masajids also follows standard English plural formation.
"Three masajids serve the district's Muslim communities."
Masjid comes from an Arabic root associated with prostration, so the word literally names a place of prayer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does masjid come from?
Masjid comes from the Arabic masǧid, a word derived from the triliteral root s-j-d, associated with bowing or prostration in worship. English borrowed the term from Arabic during the early modern period, and it later became especially familiar in South Asian English. Mosque has the same ultimate Arabic source, while musjid and mesjid are variant spellings reflecting different regional conventions.
Related word forms
How masjid is actually used
Masjid is neutral and familiar within many Muslim communities, especially in South and Southeast Asia, while mosque is more widely understood in international English. South Asian usage also commonly treats masajid as the plural of masjid.
Easily confused with masjid
Masjid is the standard English transliteration, while musjid is a variant spelling used particularly in South Asian contexts.