sultan

noun

sul·​tan ˈsəl-tᵊn How to pronounce sultan (audio)
: a king or sovereign especially of a Muslim state
sultanic adjective

Examples of sultan 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.
Once the residence of sultans, this 17th-century landmark in Istanbul now invites discerning travelers to experience imperial grandeur infused with contemporary touches. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025 The director’s fourth feature is told through the story of an early 20th-century sultan curious about the wonders of the burgeoning cinematograph, eventually being introduced to the ins and outs of the new technology by a former operator for the Lumiére Brothers. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025 As per the transparency documents, in the month of July, Starmer also received gifts from other foreign leaders—a book and tie from French President Emmanuel Macron, a leather wallet from France's first lady Brigitte Macron and an ornamental shield from the sultan of Oman. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 In the course of human events — at the courts of tsars, sultans, kaisers, shahs and the like — fealty has usually trumped expertise. Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sultan

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Arabic sulṭān

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sultan was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sultan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sultan. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sultan

noun
sul·​tan ˈsəlt-ᵊn How to pronounce sultan (audio)
: a king or ruler especially of a Muslim state

More from Merriam-Webster on sultan

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!