Turkestan

or Tur·ki·stan

[ tur-kuh-stan, -stahn, tur-kuh-stan, -stahn ]

noun

1. a vast region in western and central Asia, east of the Caspian Sea: includes territory in the south central part of Xinjiang province in China Eastern Turkestan or Chinese Turkestan, a strip of northern Afghanistan, and the area Russian Turkestan comprising the republics of Kazakhstan, Kirghizia (Kyrgyzstan), Tadzhikistan (Tajikistan), Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Turkestan

/ ˌtɜːkɪˈstɑːn /

noun

1. an extensive region of central Asia between Siberia in the north and Tibet, India, Afghanistan, and Iran in the south: formerly divided into West ( Russian ) Turkestan (also called Soviet Central Asia), comprising present-day Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan and the S part of Kazakhstan, and East ( Chinese ) Turkestan , approximating to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China

Other Words From

• Tur·ke·stan·i·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Turkestan¹

First recorded in 1710–20; from Persian Torkestān; literally, “land of the Turks”

Example Sentences

The piedmont zone of grasslands in Turkestan was an ideal land for primitive agriculturists practising a hoe-culture, as at Anau.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in eastern Turkestan there are still strong evidences of Nordic blood in the physiognomy of the people.

From Project Gutenberg

As long as we were on the great winter route to Eastern Turkestan they must all believe that Khotan was my destination.

From Project Gutenberg

I wanted to get out of this labyrinth of mountains and valleys which pour their waters into Eastern Turkestan.

From Project Gutenberg

In the centre of Turkestan are but few good cities; but the best city of that land is called Octorar.

From Project Gutenberg