turn

verb

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\ ˈtərn

turned; turning; turns

Definition of turn

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to cause to move around an axis or a center : make rotate or revolve turn a wheel turn a crank

b(1) : to cause to move around so as to effect a desired end (as of locking, opening, or shutting) turned the knob till the door opened

(2) : to affect or alter the functioning of (something, such as a mechanical device) or the level of (something, such as sound) by such movement turn the oven to 400° turn the music to full volume

c : to execute or perform by rotating or revolving turn handsprings

d : to twist out of line or shape : wrench had turned his ankle

2a(1) : to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle turned her chair to the fire

(2) : to cause to move around a center so as to show another side of turn the page

(3) : to cause (a scale) to move so as to register weight

b : to revolve mentally : think over : ponder

3a : to reverse the sides or surfaces of : invert turn pancakes turn the shirt inside out : such as

(1) : to dig or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface turn the compost weekly

(2) : to make (a garment) over by reversing the material and resewing turn a collar

(3) : to invert (something, such as a character, rule, or slug) feet up and face down in setting type

b : to reverse or upset the order or disposition of everything was turned topsy-turvy

c : to disturb or upset the mental balance of : derange, unsettle a mind turned by grief

d : to set in another especially contrary direction

4a : to bend or change the course of : divert a battle that turned the tide of history

b : to bend a course around or about : round turned the corner at full speed

c : to cause to retreat used fire hoses to turn the mob

d : to alter the drift, tendency, or expected result of

5a(1) : to direct or point (something, such as the face) in a specified way or direction

(2) : to present by a change in direction or position turning his back to his guests

b : to direct (something, such as the attention or mind) toward or away from something

c : to direct the employment of : apply, devote turned his skills to the service of humankind

d(1) : to cause to rebound or recoil turns their argument against them

(2) : to make antagonistic : prejudice turn a child against its mother

e(1) : to cause to go in a particular direction turned our steps homeward

(2) : drive, send turn cows to pasture turning hunters off his land

(3) : to convey or direct out of an inverted receptacle turn the mixture into a baking dish

f : to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) : train turned the light into the dark doorway turned a questioning eye toward her

6a(1) : to make acid or sour

(2) : to change the color of (foliage)

b(1) : convert, transform turn defeat into victory

(2) : translate, paraphrase

c : to cause to become of a specified nature or appearance turned him into a frog embarrassment turned her face red

d : to exchange for something else turn coins into paper money

e : to cause to defect to another side

7a : to shape especially in a rounded form by applying a cutting tool while revolving in a lathe

b : to give a rounded form to by any means turn the heel of a sock

c : to shape or mold artistically, gracefully, or neatly a well turned phrase

8 : to make a fold, bend, or curve in:

a : to form by bending turn a lead pipe

b : to cause (the edge of a blade) to bend back or over : blunt, dull

9a : to gain in the course of business turning a quick profit

b : to keep (money, goods, etc.) moving specifically : to dispose of (a stock) to make room for another

c : to make use of turned her education to advantage

d : to carry to completion : pull off turned a double play turn a deal

10 : to engage in (an act of prostitution) turn tricks

intransitive verb

1a : to move around on an axis or through an arc of a circle : rotate

b(1) : to become focused on something specified the conversation turned to baseball

(2) : to have as a decisive factor : hinge the argument turns on a point of logic the outcome of the game turned on an interception

(3) : to have a center (as of interest) in something specified the discussion turned on the overall worth of the project

c : to become giddy or dizzy : spin heights always made his head turn

2a : to direct one's course

b(1) : to reverse a course or direction the tide has turned

(2) : to have a reactive usually adverse effect

c : to take a different course or direction turned toward home the main road turns sharply to the right

3a : to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way everyone turned to stare

b : to face toward or away from someone or something flowers turn toward the light

c : to change one's attitude or reverse one's course of action to one of opposition or hostility felt the world had turned against him

d : to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause dogs turning on their owners

4a : to direct one's attention to or away from someone or something

b : to have recourse : refer, resort turned to a friend for help turned to his notes for the exact figures

c : to direct one's efforts or activity : devote or apply oneself turned to the study of the law turned to a life of crime

d(1) : to change one's religion

(2) : to go over to another side or party : defect

5a : to become changed, altered, or transformed the weather turned : such as

(1) : to change color the leaves have turned

(2) : to become sour, rancid, or tainted the milk had turned

(3) : to be variable or inconstant

(4) : to become mentally unbalanced : become deranged

(5) archaic : to become different

b(1) : to pass from one state to another : change water had turned to ice

(2) : become, grow his hair had turned gray the weather turned bad just turned twenty

(3) : to become someone or something specified by change from another state : change into turn pro doctors turned authors

(4) : to change by the passage of time days turned into weeks and months

6 : to become curved or bent (as from pressure) especially : to become blunted by bending the edge of the knife had turned

7 : to operate a lathe

8 of merchandise : to be stocked and disposed of : change hands

: to refuse to see : be oblivious might turn a blind eye to the use of violence— Arthur Krock

turn a deaf ear

: to refuse to listen

turn a hair

: to give a sign of distress or disturbance did not turn a hair when told of the savage murder — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

turn color

1 : to become of a different color

2a : blush, flush

b : to grow pale

turn heads

: to attract favorable attention the car's sleek design is bound to turn heads

turn loose

1a : to set free turned loose the captured animal

b : to free from all restraints turned them loose with a pile of theme paper to write whatever they liked— Elizabeth P. Schafer

2 : to fire off : discharge

3 : to open fire

turn one's back on

1 : reject, deny would be turning one's back on history— Pius Walsh

2 : forsake turned his back on his obligations

turn one's hand or turn a hand

: to set to work : apply oneself

turn one's head

: to cause to become infatuated or conceited success had not turned his head

turn one's stomach

: to disgust completely : nauseate the foul smell turned his stomach

turn tail

: to turn away so as to flee

turn the other cheek

: to respond to injury or unkindness with patience : forgo retaliation

turn the tables

: to bring about a reversal of the relative conditions or fortunes of two contending parties

turn the trick

: to bring about the desired result or effect

turn turtle

: capsize, overturn

turn

noun

plural turns

Definition of turn (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : the action or an act of turning about a center or axis : revolution, rotation

b : any of various rotating or pivoting movements in dancing or gymnastics

2a : the action or an act of giving or taking a different direction : change of course or posture an illegal left turn : such as

(1) : a drill maneuver in which troops in mass formation change direction without preserving alignment

(2) : any of various shifts of direction in skiing

(3) : an interruption of a curve in figure skating

b : a place at which something turns, turns off, or turns back : bend, curve

c : deflection, deviation

d : the action or an act of turning so as to face in the opposite direction : reversal of posture or course an about turn the turn of the tide

e : a change effected by turning over to another side a turn of the cards

3 : an act or deed affecting another especially when incidental or unexpected one good turn deserves another

4a : a place, time, or opportunity accorded an individual or unit of a series in simple succession or in a scheduled order waiting her turn in line — see also take turns

b : a period of action or activity : go, spell took a turn at the piano

c : a period or tour of duty : shift

d : a short act or piece (as for a variety show) also : public appearance : performance makes frequent guest star turns

e(1) : an event in any gambling game after which bets are settled

(2) : the order of the last three cards in faro —used in the phrase call the turn

5a : an act of changing : alteration, modification a nasty turn in the weather

b : a change in tendency, trend, or drift hoped for a turn in his luck a turn for the better an unexpected turn of events

c : the beginning of a new period of time : the time when one period changes to the next the turn of the century

6a : a fashioning of language or arrangement of words : manner of expression skillful turns of phrase

b : distinctive quality or character

c : the shape or mold in which something is fashioned : cast

7 : a short trip out and back or round about took a turn through the park

8 : something that revolves around a center: such as

a(1) : lathe

(2) : a catch or latch for a cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle

b : a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or more notes that wind about the principal note by including the notes next above and next below

9 : a special purpose or requirement —used chiefly in the phrase serve one's turn

10a : the state or manner of being coiled or twisted

b : a single round (as of rope passed about an object or of wire wound on a core)

11 : natural or special ability or aptitude : bent, inclination a turn for logic an optimistic turn of mind

12 : a special twist, construction, or interpretation gave the old yarn a new turn

13a : a disordering spell or attack (as of illness, faintness, or dizziness)

b : a nervous start or shock snuck up on her and gave her quite a turn

14a : a complete transaction involving a purchase and sale of securities also : a profit from such a transaction

b : turnover sense 1a

15 : something turned or to be turned: such as

a : a character or slug inverted in setting type

b : a piece of type placed bottom up

at every turn

: on every occasion : continually they opposed her at every turn

by turns

1 : one after another in regular succession

2 : variously, alternately a book that is by turns pedantic, delightful, and infuriating

in turn

: in due order of succession

on the turn

: at the point of turning tide is on the turn

out of turn

1 : not in due order of succession play out of turn

2 : at a wrong time or place and usually imprudently talking out of turn

to a turn

: to perfection

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Examples of turn in a Sentence

Verb He turned the key and opened the door. She slowly turned the doorknob. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. Someone turned the switch and the lights came on. They turned and walked away. She turned to leave—but stopped. He turned aside to let me pass. The patient turned onto his side. The photographer asked her to turn slightly to her left. He turned himself around to see the back of his shirt in the mirror. Noun You have to wait your turn in line. Is it my turn yet? Give the wheel another turn. He tightened the screw with one last turn. With a turn of the switch, the lights came back on. Take a left-hand turn at the next intersection. a quick turn of her head

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb For all the progressive steps of Adebayo, for all the shooting or Robinson or toughness of Goran Dragic, this team understands to whom to turn when the water goes rough. — Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, "Hyde: It’s Jimmy Butler’s team and Sunday again was his time | Commentary," 9 May 2021 The Supreme Court shouldn’t blindly follow election returns; but it must not be allowed to turn a blind eye to them, either. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "The New, Conservative Supreme Court Is Returning to the Second Amendment," 7 May 2021 That is prompting investors to turn their attention to newer digital assets such as DigiByte, VeChain and SafeMoon in the hunt for cheaper alternatives that could be the next to skyrocket. — Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, "Dogecoin’s 12,000% Rally Spurs Hunt for Next Crypto Winner," 6 May 2021 But Biden will also have to turn his focus to international affairs. — Jonathan Lemire, Star Tribune, "More perilous phase ahead for Biden after his 1st 100 days," 1 May 2021 The bill also includes an array of grant programs, including to reduce lead in drinking water, turn waste to energy and make water systems more resilient to flooding and other extreme weather events. — Kevin Freking, Anchorage Daily News, "Water bill may open spigot for Biden infrastructure plan," 30 Apr. 2021 But that still leaves the question of how Cohen is going to turn a massive chain of physical stores — nearly 5,000 at the end of last year — into a sleek online operation. — Bloomberg Wire, Dallas News, "Ryan Cohen brings vision to struggling GameStop. Now, he must deliver," 27 Apr. 2021 As corporate directors turn their thoughts to Spring and the post-pandemic world, their boardroom technology agenda is starting to change. — Bob Zukis, Forbes, "The Top Technology Issue In The Corporate Boardroom Isn’t What You Think," 27 Apr. 2021 But the Grishaverse, named for the group of humans, or Grisha, who manipulate matter, is filled with thieves, liars, villains and antiheroes who, after catching wind of Alina’s abilities, intend to turn her powers to their own purposes. — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, "Netflix’s new fantasy series spliced together beloved books. The makers explain why," 23 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Then there’s the turn-waiting, known from everyone’s school days as raising your hand. — Washington Post, "How the Zoom era has ruined conversation," 10 May 2021 Kremer missed a turn through the rotation on a minor league assignment last month, and Zimmermann did this month, with Zac Lowther taking his start Saturday. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles reset: Rookie starting pitchers hold promise, even though immediate results are lacking," 10 May 2021 But her hobby also took her career on an unexpected turn, to her current role as a coppersmith, building and restoring authentic cookware. — Alison Coleman, Forbes, "The Novelist-Turned-Coppersmith On A Mission To Save A Heritage Trade," 10 May 2021 This turn toward the alt-right didn’t come out of nowhere. — Los Angeles Times, "What happened to Van Morrison? The fall from eccentric genius to conspiracy theorist," 10 May 2021 Infections have swelled in India since February in a disastrous turn blamed on more contagious variants as well as government decisions to allow massive crowds to gather for religious festivals and political rallies. — NBC News, "Covid-19 surge hits southern states in India prompting more lockdowns," 8 May 2021 The daughter of a horticulturist and physician, Ruysch’s career was boosted, in an auspicious turn for capitalist feminism, by consumer demand for floral specimens rendered in oil paint. — Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The New Yorker, "Flowers Are the Ultimate Symbols," 8 May 2021 Infections have swelled in India since February in a disastrous turn blamed on more contagious variants as well as government decisions to allow big crowds to gather for religious festivals and political rallies. — Editors, USA TODAY, "Chinese rocket landing, India COVID-19 surge, Mother's Day: 5 things to know this weekend," 8 May 2021 Infections have swelled in India since February in a disastrous turn blamed on more contagious variants as well as government decisions to allow massive crowds to gather for religious festivals and political rallies. — BostonGlobe.com, "Pfizer seeks US approval of vaccine to be permanent," 7 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for turn

Verb

Middle English; partly from Old English tyrnan & turnian to turn, from Medieval Latin tornare, from Latin, to turn on a lathe, from tornus lathe, from Greek tornos; partly from Anglo-French turner, tourner to turn, from Medieval Latin tornare; akin to Latin terere to rub — more at throw entry 1

Noun

Middle English; partly from Anglo-French tur, tourn turning, circuit (from turner to turn); partly from Middle English turnen to turn

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Dictionary Entries near turn

turnabout is fair play

turn against

Statistics for turn

Last Updated

11 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn. Accessed 18 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for turn

turn

verb

English Language Learners Definition of turn

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to move around a central point

: to cause your body or a part of your body to face a different direction

: to cause (something or a side of something) to face an opposite or different direction

turn

noun

English Language Learners Definition of turn (Entry 2 of 2)

: an opportunity or responsibility to do or use something before or after other people

: an act of turning something around a central point

: an act of changing the direction that someone or something is facing or moving in

See the full definition for turn in the English Language Learners Dictionary

turn

verb

\ ˈtərn

turned; turning

Kids Definition of turn

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to change in position usually by moving through an arc of a circle They turned and walked away. Turn the pancakes over.

2 : to change course or direction The road turns to the left.

3 : to move or direct toward or away from something We turned toward home.

4 : to become or cause to become a certain way The weather turned leaves red.

5 : change entry 1 sense 1, transform turn lead into gold

6 : to move or cause to move around a center : rotate The earth turns on its axis.

7 : to twist so as to bring about a desired end Turn the key to unlock the door.

8 : to go around We turned the corner.

9 : to reach or pass beyond Soon she will turn ten.

10 : to become or make very unfriendly We were friends until she turned on me.

11 : to pass from one state to another : become The weather turned cold.

12 : execute sense 2, perform turn somersaults

13 : to set in another and especially an opposite direction It's difficult to turn the car on such a narrow street.

14 : wrench entry 1 sense 2 turn an ankle

15 : upset entry 1 sense 2 His behavior turns my stomach.

16 : to make an appeal He turned to a friend for help.

17 : to make or become spoiled The milk turned.

18 : translate sense 1

19 : to give a rounded form to (as on a lathe)

turn down

1 : to lower by using a control Turn down the heat.

2 : refuse entry 1 sense 1, reject I turned down the offer.

3 : to fold back or under Turn down the sheets.

turn off

1 : to stop by using a control Remember to turn off the alarm.

2 : to change direction They turned off onto another road.

turn on

: to make work by using a control Turn on the light.

turn out

1 : to prove to be The noise turned out to be from mice.

2 : to turn off

turn over

: to give control or responsibility of to someone

turn tail

: to turn so as to run away

turn up

1 : to be found or happen unexpectedly Don't worry, the key will turn up.

2 : to raise by or as if by using a control Turn up the volume.

3 : arrive sense 1

turn

noun

Kids Definition of turn (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act of moving about a center Give the crank another turn.

2 : a change or changing of direction, course, or position Make a left turn.

3 : a place at which something changes direction a turn in the road

4 : a period of action or activity : spell I had my turn as guard.

5 : proper place in a waiting line or time in a schedule Take your turn.

6 : a change or changing of the general state or condition Business took a turn for the better.

7 : an act affecting another Do a friend a good turn.

8 : a short walk or ride They took a turn through the park.

9 : a special purpose or need That will serve the turn.

10 : special quality a nice turn of phrase

11 : the beginning of a new period of time the turn of the century

12 : a single circle or loop (as of rope passed around an object)

13 : natural or special skill She has a turn for writing.

at every turn

: all the time : constantly, continuously She has managed to succeed at every turn.

by turns

: one after another

in turn

: one after the other in order

to a turn

: precisely right The turkey was cooked to a turn.

turn

transitive verb

\ ˈtərn

Medical Definition of turn

: to injure by twisting or wrenching turned his ankle

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turn

intransitive verb

Legal Definition of turn

: to have a specified decisive factor —used with on the first of the cases…turned on first amendment issues— K. A. Cohen

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turn

Definition of turn

Other Words from turn

Synonyms for turn

Examples of turn in a Sentence

First Known Use of turn

History and Etymology for turn

Learn More about turn

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English Language Learners Definition of turn

Kids Definition of turn

Medical Definition of turn

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WORD OF THE DAY

peruse

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turn

Definition of turn

Other Words from turn

Synonyms for turn

Examples of turn in a Sentence

First Known Use of turn

History and Etymology for turn

Learn More about turn

The first known use of turn was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries near turn

Phrases Related to turn

Statistics for turn

English Language Learners Definition of turn

Kids Definition of turn

Medical Definition of turn

Legal Definition of turn

WORD OF THE DAY

peruse

Test Your Vocabulary

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Learn on the go with our Dictionary and Thesaurus

Set your young readers up for lifelong success

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'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?