What does sultan mean?
A sultan is a monarch whose traditional title was especially associated with Muslim-ruled states in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The position could combine religious authority, political power, and control over territories or communities, although the title's precise meaning varied considerably between different historical sultanates. It remains part of the official titles of rulers in places including Oman and Johor, as well as in the names of former sultanates such as the Ottoman Empire. Outside such formal contexts, “sultan” can figuratively describe a person who dominates a particular field or locality, often with a humorous or exaggerated tone. The word is especially useful for understanding the political history of the Islamic world and the diverse forms of monarchy that developed across several regions.
nounA title traditionally given to a Muslim monarch or sovereign ruler, especially in parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The title also survives in the official names of several former sultanates and in a few modern constitutional monarchies.
- A ruler, especially a Muslim monarch, who held the title of sultan.
- A sovereign or supreme ruler, used figuratively or humorously in expressions such as “the sultan of the neighbourhood.”
"The sultan opened the historic mosque to an audience of local dignitaries."
"Historians debate the extent of the sultan's authority over the distant provinces."
"He was known in the neighbourhood as the sultan of homemade ice cream."
The standard plural is used when referring to rulers who held or hold the title.
"Several sultans strengthened the city's defences."
The title survives today in the names of rulers in places such as Oman and Johor, long after the sultanates that created it had faded away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sultan come from?
The word entered English through Ottoman Turkish sultān, which was borrowed from Arabic sulṭān. Arabic sulṭān itself derives from the Arabic root ṣ-l-ṭ, associated with power or authority. Related forms include the archaic English soldan and the derived noun sultanate.
Related word forms
How sultan is actually used
In historical contexts, the word is specific to rulers who held the title of sultan rather than a generic synonym for monarch. Modern figurative uses are usually informal and may imply absolute or dominating control.