turban

American  

[tur-buhn] / ˈtɜr bən /

noun

• turbans
  plural

1. a man's headdress worn chiefly by Muslims in southern Asia, consisting of a long cloth of silk, linen, cotton, etc., wound either about a cap or directly around the head.

2. any headdress resembling this.

3. any of various off-the-face hats for women that are close-fitting, of a soft fabric, and brimless, or that have a narrow, sometimes draped, brim.

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turban British  

/ ˈtɜːbən /

noun

1. a man's headdress, worn esp by Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs, made by swathing a length of linen, silk, etc, around the head or around a caplike base

2. a woman's brimless hat resembling this

3. any headdress resembling this

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• turban-like
  adjective
• turbaned
  adjective
• turbanless
  adjective
• turbanlike
  adjective
• unturbaned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• turbans
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turban

1555–65; earlier torbant, variant of tulbant < Turkish tülbent < Persian dulband

Explanation

A turban is a long scarf that's wrapped many times around a person's head. Men who are Sikh or Muslim traditionally wear turbans. There is a smaller woman's hat also called a turban that's styled after the traditional turban. Sikhs are the most common wearers of turbans, including some sikh women (although theirs are usually called a Dahtar). Turbans cover long hair and help keep it clean, as well as representing a proud Sikh identity. In Islam, different types of turbans represent different beliefs or social statuses. Turban comes from a Persian root, dulband.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turban turbans

He wore a black turban, signifying direct descendance from the Prophet Muhammad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Khamenei's coffin had been carried into the complex earlier -- simply draped in a flag of the Islamic republic and with his black turban placed on top.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

She remembers Saar sporting many a turban, chunky jewelry and large hats.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

Amrit Kaur, a Sikh teacher who grew up in Quebec and who wears a turban, is one of the appellants in the case.

From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026

Seated on the carpet, by the side of this basin, was seen Mr. Rochester, costumed in shawls, with a turban on his head.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

As galas go, Becket’s is a doozy, with guests sporting kippahs, turbans and zucchettos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

She’s in one of her signature turbans — this one has a third eye front and center — and holds a cane in the shape of a black cat.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

Singh himself owns turbans in more than a 100 shades.

From BBC ● May 31, 2025

“I want other Sikhs to know that their turbans, beards and other articles of faith don’t have to be an obstacle to any career, including one like mine,” he said.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 11, 2023

Penny was wearing one of Mrs. V's turbans, and she looked ridiculous.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• bandana
• hat