divan

noun

di·​van di-ˈvan How to pronounce divan (audio) ˈdī-ˌvan How to pronounce divan (audio)
 especially in senses 1, 2, and 4 also  di-ˈvän,
dī-ˈvan
1
a
: the privy council of the Ottoman Empire
b
2
: a council chamber
3
: a large couch usually without back or arms often designed for use as a bed
4
: a collection of poems in Persian or Arabic usually by one author

Examples of divan in a Sentence

whenever I stayed over at their house I usually slept on the divan in the living room
Recent Examples on the Web In the Phillips Collection work, the painter’s chair is empty and Laurette, on the divan, has shed her clothes. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 The divan’s red floral cover dominates the composition, setting off the tangle of thick black outlines and shadows defining her recumbent body. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 The interior includes a side-facing divan, which passengers can convert into a bed. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024 Three interior layouts will be available: executive, dual club, and divan. Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for divan 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'divan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Turkish, from Persian dīvān account book

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of divan was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near divan

Cite this Entry

“Divan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divan. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

divan

noun
: a large couch often with no back or arms

More from Merriam-Webster on divan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!