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

He wore a black turban, signifying direct descendance from the Prophet Muhammad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Khamenei's coffin had been carried into the complex earlier -- simply draped in a flag of the Islamic republic and with his black turban placed on top.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

The original law prevents judges, police officers, teachers and public servants from wearing symbols such as the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work.

From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2025

Deirdre reached up and pulled off her turban.

From "Case of the Sneaky Snowman: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #5" by Carolyn Keene

The latter wore turbans and robes and spoke Arabic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

She’s in one of her signature turbans — this one has a third eye front and center — and holds a cane in the shape of a black cat.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

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

Armed, bearded men in black turbans sat in their beds.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• bandana
• hat