sultan

noun

sul·​tan ˈsəl-tᵊn How to pronounce sultan (audio)
Synonyms of sultannext
: 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.
Massie said on social media that the email recipient was a sultan. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026 Soon, Johor was the world’s top gambier supplier and a major source of pepper—a legacy commemorated in the sultan’s coat of arms, which features both crops. Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, the main residence of Ottoman sultans, was also one of his inspirations. Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 Opened in 1929, La Mamounia, built on the grounds and gardens of a sultan’s palace, combines traditional Moroccan architecture with 20th century Art Deco flair. Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 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 22 Feb. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster