turf

play

noun \ ˈtərf \

Definition of turf

plural turfs play \ˈtərfs\ also turves play \ˈtərvz\

1 a :the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat; also :a piece of this

b :an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field)

c :grass 3

2 a :territory considered by a gang to be under its control

b :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.

3 a :a track or course for horse racing

b :the sport or business of horse racing

4 a :peat 2

b :a piece of peat dried for fuel

—

turfy

play \ˈtər-fē\ adjective

See turf defined for English-language learners

See turf defined for kids

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

In just a few weeks, Perryville High School’s student-athletes will feel the pleasures of a new synthetic turf field at the school’s main stadium.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Perryville High School's turf field is on its way," 24 Aug. 2017
On our turf, sharia principles contradict our culture — as evidenced by the Islamists’ perdurable resistance to assimilation (see, e.g., Europe’s parallel societies).

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "McMaster and the Challenge of Sharia Supremacism," 12 Aug. 2017
A $206,518 bid will be awarded to Frank Burla and Sons Builders of Channahon to add a 2.3-acre play area for small dogs, with a shelter and walkways, and to improve the shelter, fencing and turf at the existing 8.5-acre dog park.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Hammel Woods to get new dog park for small animals," 3 Aug. 2017
Long a leader in equity derivatives and structured products, BNP is targeting Deutsche Bank’s home turf in Germany, as well as the U.K., U.S. and Asia.

— fabio benedetti valentini, Bloomberg.com, "France Shows Germany How to Do Investment Banking," 28 July 2017
In the case of safety Collin Jones, that led to a mouthful of turf.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Panthers rookie Christian McCaffrey is special, and Luke Kuechly already knows why," 28 July 2017
Airbnb and hotels have had their sites set on each other for years, creating a turf war over travelers' nights.

— cnt editors, CNT, "Are Airbnbs Better Than Hotels?," 13 July 2017
In water with higher CO2, the dominant species were willing to adapt to riskier habitats, preferring bare surfaces instead of turf while subordinate species were nearby.

— adam aton, Scientific American, "CO2 Benefits the “Rats and Cockroaches” of Marine World," 7 July 2017
At a family wedding in Kentucky, with all three kids dressed up—and fascinated by roaming deer—far from their usual urban turf.

— anndee hochman, Philly.com, "The Parent Trip: Lindsey and Graham Johnson of West Philadelphia," 5 July 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

turf

verb

Definition of turf

transitive verb

1 :to cover with turf

2 chiefly British :to eject forcibly :kick —usually used with out

See turf defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of turf from the Web

Damage to property, Chagrin Boulevard: A resident reported on June 9 that somebody ran into his mailbox and turfed his lawn.

— thomas jewell, cleveland.com, "Woman hospitalized after hitting light pole: Moreland Hills police blotter," 15 June 2017

First Known Use of turf

15th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

TURF Defined for English Language Learners

turf

play

noun

Definition of turf for English Language Learners

: the upper layer of ground that is made up of grass and plant roots
: a square piece of turf cut out of the ground that is used for making lawns
: a material that looks like grass and that is used especially to cover athletic fields