Dalai Lama

[dah-lahy lah-muh] /ˈdɑ laɪ ˈlɑ mə/
noun
1.
(formerly) the ruler and chief monk of Tibet, believed to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara and sought for among newborn children after the death of the preceding Dalai Lama.
Compare Tashi Lama.
Origin
< Mongolian, equivalent to dalai ocean + lama a celibate priest
British Dictionary definitions for Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama

/ˈdælaɪ ˈlɑːmə/
noun
1.
(until 1959) the chief lama and ruler of Tibet
2.
born 1935, the 14th holder of this office (1940), who fled to India (1959): Nobel peace prize 1989
Word Origin
from Mongolian dalai ocean; see lama
Word Origin and History for Dalai Lama

literally "the Ocean Lama," from Mongolian dalai "ocean" + lama.