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

Andy Warhol painted a watercolor of a cat in a turban. —Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 21 June 2025

In the new production of Sunset, everyone is dressed in black and white, including Scherzinger, who wears a black slip dress instead of Norma’s trademark turban. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025

There’s a passenger with a bright-green buzz cut (in sharp contrast with that same orange), one with a platinum wig, a baby-blue turban, a sparkly hijab, a graduation cap, a fez, very big headphones. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 10 May 2025

In a political lineup, Mr. Singh, who became the New Democrats’ leader in 2017, stands out, wearing a turban on his head and tucking a kirpan, or ceremonial knife, into his suit, reflecting his Sikh faith. —Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

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