khan

[kahn, kan]

See more synonyms for khan on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of khan

1350–1400; Middle English Ca(a)n, Chan ≪ Turkic Khān, apparently contraction of Khāgān, equivalent to Turkish kağan ruler

khan

[kahn, kan]

noun

an inn or caravansary.

Origin of khan

1350–1400; < Arabic < Persian; replacing Middle English alchan < Arabic (al the + khān)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for khan

king, monarch, emperor, czar, sultan, shah, majesty, queen, empress, mogul, kaiser, prince, baron, royal, sovereign, potentate, lord, dame, tycoon, baroness

Examples from the Web for khan

Contemporary Examples of khan

The now-efficient process “once took a month by former means and now actually takes a day,” says Dr. Khan.
The Science of Ingredient Innovation
December 15, 2014
Part of that, Dr. Khan says, was a direct result of the global trekking PepsiCo is doing.
The Science of Ingredient Innovation
December 15, 2014
Worried this might turn people off from his performance, Khan said he didn't intend to offend anyone.
Defying Stereotypes, Young Muslim Writers Find Community Onstage
Julianne Chiaet
October 12, 2014
Allied with a Canadian-Pakistani Islamic preacher, Khan has called for Sharif to resign.
Nuclear Pakistan's Spies Target India—and Their Own Prime Minister
Bruce Riedel
September 4, 2014
Khalid al Najar, 27, was half dazed as he walked back toward Khan Younis with a plastic bag of clothes.
Who Is Behind Gaza's Mass Execution?
Jesse Rosenfeld
August 1, 2014

Historical Examples of khan

On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of the khan.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
The Khan of Dir, the most important, is a Government nominee.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
The khan asserted his loyalty and that of his neighbour the Khan of Jar.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
The retainers of the Khan of Khar implored them not to be so rash.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill
You see, the question was what to do about the mess that the Khan and Khant made.
Christmas Every Day and Other Stories
W. D. Howells

British Dictionary definitions for khan

khan

noun

1. (formerly) a title borne by medieval Chinese emperors and Mongol and Turkic rulers: usually added to a nameKublai Khan
2. such a ruler
a title of respect borne by important personages in Afghanistan and central Asia

Word Origin for khan

C14: from Old French caan, from Medieval Latin caanus, from Turkish khān, contraction of khāqān ruler

khan

noun

an inn in Turkey, certain Arab countries, etc; caravanserai

Word Origin for khan

C14: via Arabic from Persian

Khan

noun

See Imran Khan

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

Word Origin and History for khan

c.1400, from Turkic, literally "lord, prince," contraction of khaqan "ruler, sovereign." Known in Europe since 13c., cf. Latin chanis, Greek kanes, Old French chan.