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

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

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

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

Wearing a navy blue outfit and white turban, another refugee, Youssouf, was sitting under a shed, his eyes reflecting the trauma of his experiences, when the BBC met him.

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025

His photograph was all over, on signs and walls and newspapers, with his fluffy white beard and a dark turban wrapped around his head.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

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 also calls from the Sikh community in Canada for the ban on the wearing of turbans to be lifted.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2023

Sadly, the belly dancers came in robes and turbans.

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

Related Words

• bandana
• hat