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

His black turban, clerical robes and graying beard composed the picture that adorned offices, walls and billboards across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

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

Bod saw Mother Slaughter dancing with the man in the turban, while the businessman was dancing with Louisa Bartleby.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 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 heavily armed jihadists, who dress in camouflage and wear vibrant turbans, have lived in camps in Tangaza, a remote area of Sokoto state near the border with Niger, for several years.

From BBC ● Dec. 28, 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

Sadly, the belly dancers came in robes and turbans.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• bandana
• hat