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

He told officers his turban had been knocked off and that he had been injured.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

She remembers Saar sporting many a turban, chunky jewelry and large hats.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

Images of him in his austere wardrobe—a turban, clerical robes and a long, graying beard—appeared in offices, on billboards and murals throughout the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2025

Neither of them was armed, and one had a towel wrapped around his head like a turban, having just finished bathing.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

"We knew they are Lakurawa because of their dressing," he said, describing their camouflage uniforms and their turbans usually worn by men in desert areas of Mali and Niger.

From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025

Their turbans and beards are important symbols of their faith and culture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 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

There were Sikhs from the Punjab who never cut their hair but tucked it all up under their turbans.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

Related Words

• bandana
• hat