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

In more public settings, other eyewitnesses said he obscures his face - covering his eyes with a scarf draped over his turban, and often standing at an angle when addressing an audience.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

Now 74, with a white beard and whiter turban, Ravinder is facing the possibility that he might be the last in that line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025

The missing man was wearing a white turban, black shorts, black shirt and a black vest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2025

"They suspect them of being in league with the Malian army, which is why there were these reprisals," added the other man, dressed in a green boubou robe and traditional turban.

From Barron's ● Nov. 10, 2025

A turban made of kente cloth, necklaces made of glass beads, and a rainbow of bandanas are spread out on the stairs.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

The more devout Sikhs sport turbans and beards as symbols of their faith, which is neither Hindu nor Muslim.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2025

The merchandise in Singh's stores, includes accessories popularised by Punjab's music stars, such as versions of Phulkari turbans worn by Dosanjh, Kanda pendants that were first popularised by veteran Bhangra artist Pammi Bai.

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

We’d been praying for someone to stand up to Fazlullah and his men with their black turbans and Kalashnikov rifles.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai

Related Words

• bandana
• hat