turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən How to pronounce turban (audio)
Synonyms of turbannext
1
: a headdress worn chiefly in countries of the eastern Mediterranean and southern Asia consisting of a long cloth that is wrapped around a cap (as by Muslims) or directly around the head (as by Sikhs and Hindus)
2
: a headdress resembling a turban
specifically : a woman's close-fitting hat without a brim
3
: a rolled stuffed fillet of fish
turban of sole
turbaned
ˈtər-bənd How to pronounce turban (audio)
adjective
or turbanned

Illustration of turban

Illustration of turban
  • turban 1

Examples of turban in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Television footage showed his coffin draped with the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban. — Reuters, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Style the silk foulard into a turban for an elegant night out look, or wrap it around your waist to dress up a simple T-shirt and linen pants outfit. — Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026 There were turbans and headscarves and oversized hair bows, and a young boy wearing a crown made from red, black and yellow paper, the colors representing Black history month. — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026 Their tender encounter takes place in a grand setting with Stone resting in a chaise lounge in her mansion, outfitted in a robe and turban, looking like Norma Desmond. — Brent Lang, Variety, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for turban

Word History

Etymology

Middle French turbant, from Italian turbante, from Turkish tülbent, from Persian dulband

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of turban was in 1588

Rhymes for turban

See All Rhymes for turban

Browse Nearby Words

turb
turban
turban buttercup
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turban.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turban. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

turban

noun
tur·​ban ˈtər-bən How to pronounce turban (audio)
1
: a head covering worn especially by Muslims and made of a long cloth wrapped around the head or around a cap
2
: a woman's small soft hat with no brim
turbaned adjective
or turbanned
-bənd How to pronounce turban (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on turban

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for turban

Nglish: Translation of turban for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turban

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