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

He studied in a seminary in Qom after his service with the Revolutionary Guard and wears the black turban of a sayyid, indicating that he traces his lineage to the prophet Muhammad.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

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

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

"They suspect them of being in league with the Malian army, which is why there were these reprisals," added the other man, dressed in a green boubou robe and traditional turban.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

His skin was much paler than the other two men’s, almost sal­low, and a crop of tiny sweat beads gleamed on his forehead just below the edge of his black turban.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• bandana
• hat