turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən 

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 

adjective

or turbanned

Illustration of turban

• turban 1

Examples of turban in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a portrait that is emblematic of her art, Gottfried photographed a circus entertainer dressed in a top hat and white tie, accompanied by his two canine partners, also formally attired, the large Doberman pinscher in a white tie and a turban, the miniature pinscher with a frilly collar. —Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

The Arabian Knight has a flying carpet and a turban, as if a stripper service sent you Beefcake Prince of Persia. —Darren Franich, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025

The noon sun was at its peak, forcing me to wrap my scarf around my head like a turban to protect myself from the burning heat. —Fahad Shah, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2015

Orange, yellow, and black turbans dot the crowded lot, as Sikh volunteers dish out hot chickpea curry and basmati rice and cups of steaming chai. —Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for turban

• interurban
• suburban

Kids Definition

turban

noun

tur·​ban ˈtər-bən 

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