a title given to rulers or other important people in Asian countries
"The local khan ruled over a vast territory that stretched across several neighboring valleys."
an inn in some eastern countries with a large courtyard that provides accommodation for caravans
"The weary merchants found shelter at the khan, where they could rest their camels and sleep under the stars within its vast courtyard."
A ruler over various Turkish, Tatar and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages.
"The weary travelers stopped at the khan to rest their horses and share a meal before continuing their journey across the desert."
A caravanserai; a resting-place for a travelling caravan.
In plain English: A khan is an old title for a powerful ruler who leads a large group of people, especially those from Central Asia or Mongolia.
"The grand Khan welcomed all his guests with open arms and generous feasts."
Usage: Use this word to refer specifically to historical rulers of Turkic or Mongol groups rather than modern leaders. It also denotes an ancient roadside inn where traveling caravans rested and traded goods.
A male given name used extensively among Muslims of South Asia.
"Many young men in Pakistan are named Khan as a traditional and widely recognized Muslim given name."
The word "khan" entered English via Old French and Medieval Latin as a title for a ruler in the Middle Ages, originally derived from Turkic qan. Its specific sense referring to Genghis Khan's successors developed after his time through Middle Mongol usage.