headscarf
noun
head·scarf
ˈhed-ˌskärf 
plural headscarves
ˈhed-ˌskärvz
also headscarfs
also headscarfs
: a fabric covering for the head worn especially by women
… young, well-educated European Muslim women who wear the headscarf as a conscious, articulate choice …—
Timothy Garton Ash
Timothy Garton AshThe stereotypical fortuneteller, a wizened old woman in a fringed headscarf hunched over a crystal ball …—Louise Erdich
Louise ErdichThe US Justice Department, for example, has supported the right of Muslim girls to wear headscarves in public schools.—Robert O. Paxton
Robert O. PaxtonExamples of headscarf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In those messages, Rydman allegedly complained about Muslim women wearing headscarves and said disparaging things about people from Somalia, Nigeria and the Middle East.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Sotoudeh, who is known for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves, was detained by Iranian intelligence agents at her house in Tehran in April.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
The conversation in the classroom doesn’t turn to the repressive regime or the state requirement of headscarves or the geopolitical strategies that have alienated the Islamic Republic of Iran from the global community.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Prize-winning Nasrin Sotoudeh, 64, is renowned for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headscarf
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.
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Sotoudeh, who is known for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves, was detained by Iranian intelligence agents at her house in Tehran in April.
—Natalie Melzer, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
The conversation in the classroom doesn’t turn to the repressive regime or the state requirement of headscarves or the geopolitical strategies that have alienated the Islamic Republic of Iran from the global community.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Prize-winning Nasrin Sotoudeh, 64, is renowned for defending activists, opposition politicians and women prosecuted for removing their headscarves.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headscarf
Cite this Entry
“Headscarf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headscarf. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
