1. plural of kalam; a traditional Islamic school of theological philosophy that attempts to reconcile faith with reason
Usage: Islamic theology; historical and academic context
2. plural of kalam; a reed pen or writing instrument used in Islamic calligraphy and traditional writing
Usage: calligraphy; historical

Examples

• Medieval Islamic scholars developed various kalams to address philosophical questions about God and creation.
• The study of kalams represents an important period in Islamic intellectual history.
• Calligraphers carefully crafted their kalams to achieve precise, elegant letterforms.
• Different types of kalams were used for different styles of Arabic script.
• The tradition of using kalams in Islamic writing continues in some communities today.