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

Foliage lines a patch of turf and frames views of Shark Island and the Harbour Bridge across Rose Bay. —Mark David, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025

The major 2025 races in New Jersey, Virginia and California are largely being fought on turf where Trump is both unpopular and never won his own statewide campaign. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

Verb

Aytaç and Abdi got turfed out of their homes. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Brock decided to turf her backyard, which backs up to a marsh, after being frustrated with how much mud and dirt her dogs were bringing into the house. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 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