sultan

[suhl-tn]

noun

1. the sovereign of an Islamic country.

2. (often initial capital letter),  any of the former sovereigns of Turkey.

3. any absolute ruler or despot.

sultan

/ sʌlˈtænɪk, ˈsʌltən /

noun

1. the sovereign of a Muslim country, esp of the former Ottoman Empire

2. an arbitrary ruler; despot

3. a small domestic fowl with a white crest and heavily feathered legs and feet: originated in Turkey

Other Word Forms

• sultan-like adjective
• sultanship noun
• sultanic adjective
• sultanlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

1545–55; < Middle French < Turkish < Arabic sulṭān sovereign

Word History and Origins

Origin of sultan¹

C16: from Medieval Latin sultānus, from Arabic sultān rule, from Aramaic salita to rule

Example Sentences

She presented herself as a wealthy, illegitimate daughter of the sultan of Brunei, initially showering Mr Hornigold, his then-partner Heather Kaniuk and his friends with lavish gifts, from cars to homes.

From BBC

Words such as "sultan" and "shrine" are disappearing from place names - to be replaced with terms such as "harmony" and "happiness", according to the research, which is based on China's own published data.

From BBC

Beneath a crisply tailored jacket unfolded a spectacle of billowing white printed sultan pants.

From Seattle Times

But it's not like in the movies where there's just women in a tent waiting for the sultan.

From Salon

The sultan and other rulers have also warned against attempts by the opposition to oust Anwar’s government, calling instead for political stability.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• czar 
• dictator 
• empress 
• king 
• monarch