First recorded in 1760–70; from Arabic shaʿbān, perhaps akin to shaʿabā “to disperse, gather”
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A native of Deir al-Balah who is now based in Cairo, Shaban said that his family and friends had worn their best clothes to the polls and that the day had gone smoothly.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
"The pipeline's above-ground facilities, such as terminals and pumping stations, could be vulnerable to drone strikes," said Ilham Shaban, head of the Baku-based Centre for Oil Research.
From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026
Khamis Abu Shaban had finally risked returning to the music school at which he taught - and which owns the piano - a few months into the current conflict.
From BBC • Oct. 25, 2024
Shaban Ali has lived in a public housing tower in Bristol, in southwest England, for seven years.
From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2023
Immediately the most piercing cries were heard through the harem, whilst Shaban and Sutlememe personated with great adroitness the parts of persons in despair.
From The History of Caliph Vathek by Beckford, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
