turban

American  

[tur-buhn] / ˈtɜr bən /

noun

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

• turban-like adjective
• turbaned adjective
• turbanless adjective
• turbanlike adjective
• unturbaned adjective

Etymology

Origin of turban

1555–65; earlier torbant, variant of tulbant < Turkish tülbent < Persian dulband

Example Sentences

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 small canvas shows a young woman set on a dark background, her head turned towards the viewer and a pearl earring glinting from beneath her blue and cream turban.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 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

Practising Sikh men often make their faith visible by wearing the turban and growing out their beards.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Her head was wrapped in a bright orange turban.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• bandana
• hat