turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən 

1

: a headdress worn chiefly in countries of the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia consisting of a long cloth that is wrapped around a cap (as by Muslims) or directly around the head (as by Sikhs and Hindus)

2

: a headdress resembling a turban

specifically : a woman's close-fitting hat without a brim

3

: a rolled stuffed fillet of fish

turban of sole

turbaned

ˈtər-bənd 

adjective

or turbanned

Illustration of turban

• turban 1

Examples of turban in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Qajar-dynasty kitsch—kings with walrus mustaches and embellished turbans, women with unibrows in tunics—became ubiquitous as a motif in contemporary art, on the walls of cafés, on teapots. —Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026

In a brief video that circulated over the holidays among officers of the BART police force, the department’s chief pins a badge on a beaming young officer wearing the turban of his Sikh faith. —Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Mar. 2026

Every failure of the state now stains the turban as well as the uniform. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

Singh, who would be our local guide, always wore the five traits of a pious Sikh man — uncut hair (symbolizing strength and holiness and topped by the identifying turban), a steel bracelet, wooden comb, sheathed dagger and a baggy undergarment dating back to the Sikhs’ warrior days on horses. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French turbant, from Italian turbante, from Turkish tülbent, from Persian dulband

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for turban

• interurban
• suburban

Kids Definition

turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən 

1

: a head covering worn especially by Muslims and made of a long cloth wrapped around the head or around a cap

2

: a woman's small soft hat with no brim

turbaned adjective

or turbanned

-bənd