turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən How to pronounce turban (audio)
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 adjective
or turbanned

Illustration of turban

Illustration of turban
  • turban 1

Examples of turban in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Men in the faith are easily recognizable since many wear colorful turbans that hold up their uncut hair and have long beards. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The right of Sikhs to wear turbans is gaining a growing recognition in the United States, with the Marine Corps recently granting members of the religion to do so in boot camp. Jim Guy, Sacramento Bee, 16 Feb. 2024 Her father, who wears a turban, was the president of a local Sikh temple in South Carolina. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 When parading himself in public, Sabu often swaddled his head in cherry-red turbans, a costume that became part of his public image. Hazlitt, 29 Nov. 2023 These hair turbans are made from a microfiber material that’s super absorbent and also fast drying. Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023 Farther along, in an arena of sorts, the neighborhoods of Najaf were marching in procession, bearing banners, coats of arms and liquid-eyed images of Hussein wearing a dark, youthful beard and a green turban. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Sikh men grow long beards and wear turbans as a commitment to their faith, and many Americans mistake them for Muslims. Mark Morales, CNN, 25 Oct. 2023 The suspect also attempted to remove the victim's turban from his head. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turban.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of turban was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near turban

Cite this Entry

“Turban.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turban. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

turban

noun
tur·​ban ˈtər-bən How to pronounce turban (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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