hijab

American  

[hi-jahb, -jab] / hɪˈdʒɑb, -ˈdʒæb /

noun

1. a traditional scarf worn by Muslim women to cover the hair and neck and sometimes the face.

2. the traditional dress code of Muslim women, calling for the covering of the entire body except the face, hands, and feet.

   to observe the hijab.

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hijab British  

/ hɪˈdʒæb, hɛˈdʒɑːb /

noun

1. a covering for the head and face, worn by Muslim women

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Etymology

Origin of hijab

First recorded in 1885–90; from Arabic ḥijāb “veil, cover, curtain,” from ḥajaba “to cover”

Example Sentences

Women had to wear a specific type of hijab with gloves and socks to cover their hands and ankles, and music was not allowed.

From BBC

Crowds form, they surge through the streets chanting slogans, and the world watches with sympathy as brave young women throw off their hijabs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Free American women allowed themselves to say this to me, an Iranian who spent three years under forced hijab, in an Islamic Republic school.

From The Wall Street Journal

Influenced by Christianity, Judaism and other belief systems, Alawites celebrate Christmas, have no dietary restrictions and don’t require women to wear hijab, or head coverings.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after Israel's recognition at the end of December, social media was flooded with photos of men and women displaying the Israeli flag -- one of them even using it as a hijab.

From Barron's