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

Singh, who would be our local guide, always wore the five traits of a pious Sikh man — uncut hair (symbolizing strength and holiness and topped by the identifying turban), a steel bracelet, wooden comb, sheathed dagger and a baggy undergarment dating back to the Sikhs’ warrior days on horses. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026

With Khamenei’s regime, and his life, on the line, the resistance instinct must be warring with the survival instinct beneath that black turban. —Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026

In the background, a large group of Warkaris—men and women dressed in traditional white attire, colorful saris, turbans and topis—sit in a semicircle, clapping and cheering. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Princess Grace wore a lime-green dress and jacket with a white turban. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 Jan. 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