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
Shaban Ali has lived in a public housing tower in Bristol, in southwest England, for seven years.
From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2023
For Omar Shaban, a political economist in Gaza, it is no surprise to see young people turning out by the perimeter fence.
From BBC • Sep. 28, 2023
How many times have I told you to bring your people here, Shaban?
From Atlantic Narratives Modern Short Stories by Ashe, Elizabeth
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.
