turf

noun

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\ ˈtərf

plural turfs\ ˈtərfs

\ also turves\ ˈtərvz

Definition of turf

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 sense 3

2a : territory that one considers to be under one's control … a sea lion colony of 30 or more animals sleeping or fighting to protect their turf.— Kerrie Waterworth The assassination attempt served as a warning …. It … had the hallmark of the cartel staking out its turf, she [Gladys McCormick] said. — Reuters got caught in a turf war

b : a frequently or habitually visited place : stomping ground He grew up in Pennsylvania, in the small town of Shillington outside Reading, and seemed tickled to be returning to his old turf.— Amy Gamerman

c : territory sense 2 … would 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 Journal If you can't compete directly, fight them outside of their turf. Target a different audience, or utilize channels that your competitors aren't currently touching. — Timothy Carter

3a : a track or course for horse racing

b : the sport or business of horse racing

4a : peat sense 2

b : a piece of peat dried for fuel

turf

verb

turfed; turfing; turfs

Definition of turf (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with turf

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

Other Words from turf More Example Sentences Phrases Containing turf Learn More About turf

Examples of turf in a Sentence

Noun 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 on the Web: Noun The savings are even greater if the grass is replaced by artificial turf, which is favored by some. — New York Times, 3 May 2022 In the front of the house, Henk planted Bermuda turf, numerous native grasses and several small bushes and trees. — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Apr. 2022 That will likely include enacting a ban on watering non-residential turf, such as at businesses parks, highway medians and universities. — Joshua Emerson Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2022 After Gonzalez announced his retirement, much of his district was added to Gibbs’ turf. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 6 Apr. 2022 This creamy-lathering wash's main ingredients are moisturizing coconut extract and antioxidant-rich cherries derived from Rihanna's home turf, Barbados. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Feb. 2022 This is Cawthorn’s home turf, where 59 percent of voters elected both him and Trump in 2020. — Lisa Rab, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2022 Among the renovations to the field house are the replacement of the synthetic turf, new graphics, changes to the mechanical system to improve circulation, new overhead doors and operable windows and new LED lighting. — Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, 18 Feb. 2022 The true training paradise includes countless professional-grade machines and training stations, including a commercial Smith machine, a unilateral leg press, and a narrow runway of turf, which Johnson uses for his go-to weighted lunges on leg day. — Katie Dupere, Men's Health, 7 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The abrupt, mysterious retirement of CB Malcolm Butler weakens what was already a shaky pass defense – one now even more reliant on J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones to turf opposing quarterbacks. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2021 Riecken claimed him that day and the breeding screams turf. — Star Tribune, 14 June 2021 Seafood favorites include salmon smoked in oak, beechwood, and even turf. — Lea Lane, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2021 Tours of the facilities have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 protocols, but walk by the Ford Center, which has a big Dallas Cowboys turf outside. — Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 8 Mar. 2021 Simply Beguiled: Second-time starter going to turf and around two turns. — Michael Beychok, NOLA.com, 30 Jan. 2021 Our Best Bet today will be in Race 9 — #8 Copa: hoping this one will take to turf and kick on in the stretch moving back to a sprint at a big price. — NOLA.com, 13 Jan. 2021 This party is in the first stages of picking its nominee, who will contest the only method still remaining for turfing Trump out of office — namely, the election this November. — Ryan Cooper, TheWeek, 7 Feb. 2020 The Sharks turfed Peter DeBoer this past Wednesday simply because of lackluster results: five losses in a row, and a 15-16-2 record with a roster ostensibly loaded to contend, as has become the standard in Silicon Valley. — BostonGlobe.com, 15 Dec. 2019 See More

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.