turnaround

1 of 2

noun

turn·​around ˈtərn-ə-ˌrau̇nd 

1

a

: the action of receiving, processing, and returning something

24-hour turnaround time on most orders

b

: the process of readying a transport vehicle for departure after its arrival

also : the time spent in this process

a quick turnaround between flights

2

a

: turnabout sense 1a

a corporate turnaround

b

: turnabout sense 1b

3

: a space permitting the turning around of a vehicle

4

: a jump shot by a player facing away from the basket who turns toward the basket while shooting

—often used attributively

a turnaround jumper

turn around

2 of 2

verb

turned around; turning around; turns around

intransitive verb

1

: to become changed for the better

2

: to act in an abrupt, different, or surprising manner

—used with and

after three years he just turned around and left school

transitive verb

: to change for the better

turned her life around

Synonyms

Noun

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• flip-flop
• reversal
• turnabout
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of turnaround in a Sentence

Noun

The turnaround for most orders is 24 hours.

There is a 24-hour turnaround time on most orders.

a quick turnaround between flights

The team needs a big turnaround after their loss last week.

The company has achieved a remarkable turnaround in the past year.

The latest news has caused a turnaround in public opinion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To some newer residents, the vacant lot may be better recognized as the turnaround point for Boise’s Turkey Day 5K race on Thanksgiving. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025

Measure Continuously: Track before-and-after metrics: turnaround time, report accuracy, downstream cost of care and patient satisfaction. —Yidi Xu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Verb

In a world where they’re constantly told that the pressures and responsibilities of being Yankees are somehow deeper and more profound than anybody else’s, the people in charge can’t turn around and sell them winning seasons instead of winning pennants and World Series. —Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025

Video shows as many as 20 vehicles approaching Gate A at the stadium and being turned around by the security guard there. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for turnaround

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background

Kids Definition

turnaround

1 of 2 noun

turn·​around ˈtər-nə-ˌrau̇nd 

1

: turnabout

2

: the time needed for one complete cycle or round trip from start to destination and back

turn around

2 of 2 verb

1

: to act in a sudden, different, or surprising manner

he just turned around and left home

2

: to change for the better

turned her life around