khan
noun
(in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
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khan
1 American
[kahn, kan]
/ kɑn, kæn /
Archaic,
cham
noun
-
(in the Altaic group of languages) a title held by hereditary rulers or tribal chiefs.
-
the supreme ruler of the Tatar tribes, as well as emperor of China, during the Middle Ages: a descendant of Genghis Khan.
-
a title of respect used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries of Asia.
khan
2
American
[kahn, kan]
/ kɑn, kæn /
noun
khan
1
British
/ kɑːn /
noun
-
-
(formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a name
Kublai Khan
-
such a ruler
-
-
a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia
Khan
2
British
/ kɑːn /
noun
khan
3
British
/ kɑːn /
noun
Etymology
Origin of khan1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan, ultimately from Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan “ruler”
Origin of khan2
1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English alchan < Arabic ( al the + khān )
Explanation
Historically, khans were Central Asian emperors, nobles, and military leaders. One of the most famous was Genghis Khan, ruler of the 13th-century Mongol empire. The power held by someone with the title of khan depended on the country or region. In some places a khan was the most powerful ruler, and in others the khan merely controlled an army or small nomadic tribe. While the use of khan as a title faded after the Middle Ages, it became a common surname among South and Central Asian Muslims. Khan's Turkic root is khaqan, or "ruler."
Vocabulary lists containing khan
Chinese History - Introductory
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Civilizations of East Asia and Southeast Asia, Lessons 1–3
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Chinese History - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Because he could not establish descent from Chinggis, he could not claim the title of khan himself.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
At a kurultai of his family and closest advisers years before Chinggis’ death, Ogedei was chosen to be this great khan.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
London Mayor Sadiq khan said he was “heartbroken” by the news.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 19, 2021
In the statue, the first large-scale rendition in the U.S. of the sacred figure, Mary is depicted standing on a cloud, wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai dress and khan dong hat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2021
By the time Aziz turned fourteen, she had stopped glancing across the orchard every time she passed by, hoping to see the khan riding up the road.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
Md Emon Khan, 28, left his garment-factory job in Dhaka and returned to Rooppur, where he now sells vegetables and fruit to workers.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
In the BBC report, published in April, an adviser called Tanisa Khan told an undercover reporter she could provide a "comprehensive package", including photographs at gay clubs and other supporting evidence.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The party also said it had demanded that Khan be given an immediate medical examination and treatment.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
In August, Khan was briefly transferred from jail to a state-run hospital for medical examination and treatment following complaints about his deteriorating health.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
“The Bureau isn’t against objects being too magical,” Dr. Khan replies.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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.
