turban

1 of 2

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

turbaned

2 of 2

adjective

tur·​baned

variants or turbanned

-nd 

: wearing a turban

turbaned police

—National Geographic

turbaned Indian generals

—Newsweek

India's 14 million Sikhs … a turbaned and bearded minority

—Karen Elliott House et al.

Examples of turban in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Style the silk foulard into a turban for an elegant night out look, or wrap it around your waist to dress up a simple T-shirt and linen pants outfit. — Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026

There were turbans and headscarves and oversized hair bows, and a young boy wearing a crown made from red, black and yellow paper, the colors representing Black history month. — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026

In the United States, after 9/11, Sikhs were often misidentified because of their turbans and faced racial attacks and discrimination. — Akash Pamarthy, NPR, 6 June 2026

Digwa then claimed in bodycam footage released by police that Nowak had grabbed his turban and subjected him to racist abuse. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

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