turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət 

ˈtə-rət, 

ˈtu̇r-ət 

1

: a little tower

specifically : an ornamental structure at an angle of a larger structure

2

a(1)

: a revolving armored structure on a warship that protects one or more guns mounted within it

(2)

: a similar upper structure usually for one gun on a tank

(3)

: a gunner's fixed or movable enclosure in an airplane

b

: a tall building usually moved on wheels and formerly used for carrying soldiers and equipment for breaching or scaling a wall

3

a

: a pivoted and revolvable holder in a machine tool

b

: a device (as on a microscope or a television camera) holding several lenses

Examples of turret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Rose of the North body scrub and massage in the top-floor turret is transcendent. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026

Paul would need to be in his stone turret office on the idyllic watercolor of a campus five days a week. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

Plus there’s a special bedroom in the tower turret that the newlyweds can retreat to after the reception has died down. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 31 May 2026

The result was a stately Victorian complete with turrets, detailed brickwork and enough grandeur that Gunnison has called it a castle ever since. — Kevin Strong, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English touret, from Anglo-French turette, tourette, diminutive of tur, tour tower — more at tower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for turret

• urate

Kids Definition

turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət  ˈtə-rət 

tu̇r-ət

1

: a little tower often at a corner of a building

2

: a low usually rotating structure (as in a tank, warship, or airplane) in which guns are mounted