turn

play

verb \ ˈtərn \

Definition of turn

transitive verb

1 a :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

2 a (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

3 a :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

4 a :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

5 a (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

6 a (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

7 a :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

9 a :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

1 a :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

2 a :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

3 a :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

4 a :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

5 a :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

—

turnable

play \ˈtər-nə-bəl\ adjective

— turn a blind eye

: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

2 a :blush, flush

b :to grow pale

— turn heads

:to attract favorable attention

the car's sleek design is bound to turn heads

— turn loose

1 a :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

See turn defined for English-language learners

See turn defined for kids

Examples of turn in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of turn from the Web

While exempting Social Security, veterans and defense, the plan proposes cuts across the rest of the budget to turn this year’s projected $700 billion-or-so deficit into a tiny $9 billion surplus by 2027.

— andrew taylor, The Seattle Times, "Budget plan faces uncertain fate after clearing House panel," 20 July 2017
Loveland road, light improvements Turn lane modifications are in place at the intersection of Karl Brown Way and West Loveland Avenue in Downtown Loveland.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
The Dolphins were forced to play backups last season and things turned out OK despite some rocky moments.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Countdown to training camp: Do Dolphins have enough o-line depth to withstand injuries? | Analysis," 20 July 2017
Brooks said plaque donors have chosen various reasons to participate and some turn the unveiling into a reason to gather and celebrate.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Honor someone with a Pathway of Pride plaque," 19 July 2017
Steve Wallace, a police officer turned prosecutor, was announced by the state Department of Law on Tuesday as the new Bethel district attorney.

— lisa demer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Bethel gets a new DA — its third in less than 3 years," 19 July 2017
The signing is all about turning the page, for both the team and the player.

— brandon vickrey, Post-Tribune, "Former White Sox farmhand Tyler Sullivan takes detour to RailCats' outfield," 19 July 2017
People who had never given a thought to the medium now turned to it in desperation.

— nancy west, The Atlantic, "Pictures of Death," 19 July 2017
Novartis is turning to newer medicines such as the heart drug Entresto, psoriasis treatment Cosentyx and Kisqali for breast cancer to help counter a decline in sales of its blockbuster Gleevec, which is losing ground to cheaper copycat drugs.

— james paton, star-telegram, "Struggling Alcon shows some progress as Novartis weighs spinoff," 18 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of turn

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 ¹throw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

turn Synonyms

Synonyms

pivot, revolve, roll, rotate, spin, swing, swirl, swivel, twirl, twist, wheel, whirl

Related Words

screw, unscrew; twiddle; coil, crank, reel, wind; circulate

Near Antonyms

abide, be, continue, linger, remain, stay

turn

noun

Definition of turn

1 a :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

2 a :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

4 a :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

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

5 a :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

6 a :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

10 a :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

13 a :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

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

b :turnover 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

See turn defined for English-language learners

Examples of turn in a Sentence

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 of turn from the Web

Convection ovens help by blowing around hot air and wicking away moisture and steam, which in turn allows vegetables to brown more quickly and evenly.

— molly baz, Bon Appetit, "The Weird Trick to Nailing Roasted Vegetables Every Time," 29 Aug. 2017
And that coverage, in turn, led to vitriolic comments and social media threats.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Black Lives Matter-Louisville leader gets death threats after piece addressing white people," 25 Aug. 2017
Rihanna’s hair journey is full of twists and turns.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Your Guide to Rihanna’s Best Hairstyles," 24 Aug. 2017
Cosmopolitan.com consulted with Spencer Pratt to get his thoughts on this episode's twists and turns.

— mark shrayber, Cosmopolitan, "Spencer Pratt Recaps Siesta Key: Are There Only 3 Guys to Hook Up With in This Town?," 22 Aug. 2017
Currently, the Medicaid prices are 72 percent of those that Medicare pays — which in turn pays less than private insurers.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Democrats’ New Health-Care Plan: Medicaid for All (Who Want It)," 22 Aug. 2017
Violet Another flower name (and another Downton Abbey character), currently ranks at number 47 on the U.S. charts after years of decline from its turn-of-the-century popularity.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "12 Old-Fashioned Girl Names That Are Ready for a Comeback," 21 Aug. 2017
But that church was destroyed by flooding shortly after the turn of the 20th century.

— roxie hammill, kansascity, "Formed by ex-slaves, KCK’s Pleasant Green Baptist celebrates 150 years of empowerment," 18 Aug. 2017
Counter-protesters arrived, and things took a violent turn when James Alex Fields Jr. drove his car into a crowd, taking the life of Heather Heyer and injuring dozens of others.

— bernadette deron, Esquire, "Now Stonewall Jackson's Great Grandsons Want His Monument Taken Down," 17 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of turn

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

turn Synonyms

Synonyms

amble, constitutional, perambulation, ramble, range, saunter, stroll, walk, wander

Related Words

parade, paseo, promenade; expedition, hike, march, peregrination, traipse, tramp, travel, traversal, traverse, trek, trip, walkabout; excursion, jaunt, junket, outing, sally, sashay, spin, tour; pilgrimage, progress, safari

Near Antonyms

hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle

TURN Defined for English Language Learners

turn

play

verb

Definition of turn for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of turn for English Language Learners

: 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

TURN Defined for Kids

turn

play

verb \ ˈtərn \

Definition of turn for Students

turned; turning

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 :¹change 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 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 :¹wrench 2

turn an ankle

15 :¹upset 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 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 :¹refuse 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 1

turn

noun

Definition of turn for Students

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.

Medical Dictionary

turn

play

transitive verb \ ˈtərn \

medical Definition of turn

:to injure by twisting or wrenching

turned his ankle

Law Dictionary

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

turnable

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Examples of turn in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of turn

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Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

turn

Definition of turn

Examples of turn in a Sentence

Recent Examples of turn from the Web

Origin and Etymology of turn

turn Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

TURN Defined for English Language Learners

turn

Definition of turn for English Language Learners

turn

Definition of turn for English Language Learners

TURN Defined for Kids

turn

Definition of turn for Students

turn

Definition of turn for Students

Medical Dictionary

turn

medical Definition of turn

Law Dictionary

turn

legal Definition of turn

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