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Definition of zawiya

zawiya

/zɑːˈwiːə/
za · wi · ya
Plural:zawiyas
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zawiya Lexical Profile

• noun

1

An Islamic religious school, monastery, or lodge in North and West Africa, typically associated with a Sufi brotherhood and often built around the tomb of a saint.

Example

"Travelers crossing the desert often found shelter, food, and spiritual guidance at a local zawiya."

2

A major coastal city in northwestern Libya situated on the Mediterranean Sea west of Tripoli, serving as the capital of the Zawiya District and an important center for oil refining and agriculture.

Synonyms
View all synonyms for zawiya

• Rhymes for zawiya

• Nearby Words

zarqa
zauschneria
zavkhan
zawiya
zayanderud
zaysan
zdunska wola

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic 'zāwiya', literally meaning 'corner' or 'nook', in reference to the secluded corners of mosques where early Sufi ascetics and scholars gathered for prayer and study.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Zawiya. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/zawiya
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