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

But the purpose of her art shifted after the events of 9/11, as the fabric of American identity was tested, and some groups, such as Sikhs, particularly those wearing traditional turbans of the faith, faced cultural discrimination and misunderstanding. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026

Accordingly, medieval epic poems and art often depicted Muslims as near-demonic, bloodthirsty figures wearing turbans and strange robes. —Anna Piela, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026

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

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