turf

1 of 2

noun

ˈtərf 

plural turfs ˈtərfs  also turves 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 sense 3

2

a

: 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

3

a

: a track or course for horse racing

b

: the sport or business of horse racing

4

a

: peat sense 1a

b

: a piece of peat dried for fuel

turfy

ˈtər-fē 

adjective

turf

2 of 2

verb

turfed; turfing; turfs

transitive verb

1

: to cover with turf

2

chiefly British : to eject forcibly : kick

—usually used with out

Synonyms

Verb

• out
• drum (out)
• eject
• dismiss
• chase
• cast out
• banish

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.

Verb

the pub keeper doesn't hesitate to turf out anyone who gets too drunk

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This week, Forbes Life highlights five Pakistani jewelry designers and what makes their pieces so special… Amna Shariff Since the launch of her brand in 2001, Amna Shariff has established herself as a veteran silver jewelry designer on home turf. —Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The series, which is largely Welsh language with some English, has proved popular on home turf on S4C. The second season dropped in April. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 27 June 2025

Verb

Since turfing his slider, though, he's looked better at harnessing the ball and seems close to being the Sandy of old. —Eno Sarris, New York Times, 18 June 2025

At least the women’s team reached the FA Cup final, not that Sir Jim was able to attend for the second season in a row, having earlier turfed the team out of their own training ground building and told them to use portable cabins. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German zurba turf, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turf

• poach on someone's territory/turf
• surf and turf
• the turf
• turf accountant
• turf out/off
• turf toe

Rhymes for turf

• scurf
• serf
• surf

Kids Definition

turf

noun

ˈtərf

1

a

: the upper layer of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat

also : a piece of this

b

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

c

: grass entry 1 sense 3

2

: the sport or business of horse racing

3

: an area or a place that is or is felt to be under one's control

on my own turf