durbar

[ dur-bahr ]

/ ˈdɜr bɑr /

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noun

the court of an Indian ruler.

a public audience or levee held by an Indian prince or by a British colonial governor or viceroy; an official reception.

the hall or place where an Indian prince or British colonial governor holds a public audience.

an audience held by an Indian prince or British colonial governor.

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Origin of durbar

First recorded in 1600–10; alteration of Urdu darbār “court,” from Persian, equivalent to dar “door” + bār “entry”

Words nearby durbar

duration, durative, Durazzo, Durban, Durban poison, durbar, dure, Düren, Dürer, Dürer, Albrecht, duress

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use durbar in a sentence

In 1979 the Durbar Square of each city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nepal Old and New: Kathmandu Valley’s Royal Cities Get a Facelift|Condé Nast Traveler|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Having emerged safely from this peril, the great durbar was held, and lasted some hours.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He had introduced me to Cheetoo, and now, as he accompanied me from the durbar, he gave me instructions how I was to proceed.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
We lost no time in presenting ourselves at the durbar of the chief, and were graciously received by him.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor

He then went into his tent, took off his durbar dress, put away his arms, and then lay down.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor
I went, and found him seated in full durbar, and the Khan's servants as prisoners before him.
Confessions of a Thug|Philip Meadows Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for durbar

durbar

/ (ˈdɜːbɑː, ˌdɜːˈbɑː) /

noun

(formerly) the court of a native ruler or a governor in India and British Colonial West Africa
a levee at such a court

Word Origin for durbar

C17: from Hindi darbār court, from Persian, from dar door + bār entry, audience

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012