Definition of turf
turfs
play \ˈtərfs\ alsoturves
play \ˈtərvz\1a : the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat; also : a piece of thisb : an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field)c : grass 3
2a : territory considered by a gang to be under its controlb : territory 2 have to play two of the last three games on hostile turf — Joe Klein in chapter two, the author is on unfamiliar turf; also : a sphere of activity or influence people who could hurt him on his own foreign-policy turf — Wall Street Jour.
3a : a track or course for horse racingb : the sport or business of horse racing
4a : peat 2b : a piece of peat dried for fuel
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Examples of turf in a Sentence
a lawn made by laying turfs
Synthetic turf was installed in the playing field instead of grass.
playing fields with artificial turfs
The team played on home turf.
Recent Examples of turf from the Web
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Airbnb and hotels have had their sites set on each other for years, creating a turf war over travelers' nights.
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For cultures so deeply intertwined with the land and sea, reclaiming traditional turf—including hunting areas, rock art sites, fishing grounds and ceremonial lands—meant becoming whole again.
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HARDLY SEEN SLIM didn't take to the turf last out, but is the one to beat back on the dirt.
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That's because this Monday, as in so many recently, Chinese audiences have bailed out a high-profile blockbuster that underperformed on its home turf.
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Since the complex opened in the fall of 2014, two of the fields have been equipped with artificial turf, lights have been added, and parking has been expanded and paved.
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Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC says the sector will invest less in technology for new jets if the plane maker encroaches too deeply in its turf.
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LORAN HOLIDAY ran evenly in her only start and is bred to handle the move to the turf.
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For Bell—whose résumé includes a year in the SNL writers' room and scene-stealing parts in 22 Jump Street and Workaholics—and fellow comedy veterans Kate McKinnon and Ilana Glazer, the slapstick-heavy script was familiar turf.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turf.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of turf
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zurba turf, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass
Other Ecology Terms
turf
Definition of turf
transitive verb
1 : to cover with turf
2 chiefly British : to eject forcibly : kick —usually used with out
First Known Use of turf
15th century
TURF Defined for English Language Learners
turf
playDefinition of turf for English Language Learners
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: the upper layer of ground that is made up of grass and plant roots
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: a square piece of turf cut out of the ground that is used for making lawns
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: a material that looks like grass and that is used especially to cover athletic fields
TURF Defined for Kids
turf
playDefinition of turf for Students
1 : the upper layer of soil bound into a thick mat by roots of grass and other plants
2 : land covered with grass
3 : an area that is or is felt to be under an individual's control Fluffy won't allow any other dogs on his turf.
Learn More about turf
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See words that rhyme with turf Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for turf Spanish Central: Translation of turf Nglish: Translation of turf for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of turf for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turf
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