khan

khan · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A title of rulers and officials in Central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia, historically used by Mongol and Turkic leaders.

  2. 2.

    A surname common in South Asian and Central Asian countries.

Forms

plural: khans

Related words

See also: Mongol, emperor, ruler
Synonyms: chieftain, ruler

Etymology

From Turkic and Mongolian khan or qan, meaning "ruler" or "sovereign." Spread through the Mongol Empire and later adopted in Persian and Arabic cultures.