raja

noun

ra·​ja ˈrä-jə How to pronounce raja (audio)
-(ˌ)jä,
-zhə,
-(ˌ)zhä
variants or rajah
1
: an Indian or Malay prince or chief
2
: the bearer of a title of nobility among the Hindus

Examples of raja 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.
The debate over the sabda raja, as the sultan’s proclamations are known, has exposed fault lines within an otherwise sleepy university town and has led to citywide soul-searching about what the future holds for fast-developing Yogyakarta. Jon Emont, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2015 This was the beginning of her lifelong love affair with horses, which led her to work as a groom for an Indian raja, or prince, to excel as a competitive horsewoman and to teach innumerable students the joy of riding. Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu rājā, from Sanskrit rājan king — more at royal

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of raja was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near raja

Cite this Entry

“Raja.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raja. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

raja

noun
ra·​ja
variants or rajah
ˈräj-ə How to pronounce raja (audio)
ˈräzh-
: an Indian or Malay prince or chief
Etymology

from Hindi and Urdu (the official language of Pakistan) rājā "prince, chief"

More from Merriam-Webster on raja

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!