noun

khagan

kah-GAHN

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Khagan (noun) means a historical ruler of a khaganate, an imperial title held by certain Turkic and Mongolian peoples and equal in rank to an emperor. Example: “The khagan commanded loyalty from khans across the steppe.”

noun

historical A historical ruler of a khaganate, an imperial title held by certain Turkic and Mongolian peoples and equal in rank to an emperor.

"The khagan commanded loyalty from khans across the steppe."

"Envoys traveled for months to reach the khagan's court."

"The khaganate was ruled by a single khagan, set above every khan beneath him."

How to use khagan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA khagan was the supreme ruler over a group of khans, roughly equal to an emperor.

When to use it

The word belongs to history writing and is not used for modern rulers.

Memory tip

Picture a khagan as a khan's khan, a ruler set above other rulers.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

khan →

Common pairings

the great khagan title of khagan court of the khagan

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “khagan” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ commanded loyalty from khans across the steppe.

Etymology

Khagan comes ultimately from the Old Turkic word qaɣan. It is a doublet of khan, meaning the two words share the same root but developed separately.

Origin: Old Turkic

Rhymes for khagan

pagan Sagan Fagan Hagan Kagan Reagan Flanagan

See all rhymes for khagan →

Frequently asked questions

What does khagan mean?

A khagan was an imperial ruler among certain Turkic and Mongolian peoples, ranking above ordinary khans.

Is a khagan the same as a khan?

No, a khagan ranked above a khan, functioning as a khan of khans over a khaganate.

Where does the word khagan come from?

It comes from the Old Turkic word qaɣan and shares its origin with the word khan.

What is the meaning of khagan?

"khagan" (noun) means a historical ruler of a khaganate, an imperial title held by certain Turkic and Mongolian peoples and equal in rank to an emperor.