turnaround

noun

turn·around | \ ˈtərn-ə-ˌrau̇nd

Definition of turnaround

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

verb

turned around; turning around; turns around

Definition of turn around (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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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

Last year capped a dramatic turnaround at the company. — Alistair Macdonald, WSJ, "Anglo American Boosts Profit and Cuts Debt Amid Turnaround," 21 Feb. 2019 Both colors will remain available via special request for another 10 days' turnaround time, according to an email sent to potential customers. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Tesla thins out its paint palette to “simplify manufacturing” at factory," 11 Sep. 2018 The Latest on the British Open (all times local): 4:45 p.m. Tiger Woods is in the outright lead of the British Open after a stunning turnaround at Carnoustie. — Fox News, "The Latest: Woods in outright lead at British Open," 22 July 2018 In Durango, the plane needs to go back to Colorado Springs, which takes at least a two-and-a-half hour turnaround time. — Jordan Golson, WIRED, "The Sooty, Swirling Logistics of Fighting 2018's First Major Wildfire," 5 July 2018 After three consecutive 3-9 seasons, their eight-game improvement was second to Fresno State as the biggest turnaround at the Division I-A level. — Shandel Richardson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FAU coach Lane Kiffin awarded key to the city of Boca Raton," 9 May 2018 Is the defensive performance a sign of a turnaround at that end of the floor? — Chris Fedor, cleveland.com, "Are Cleveland Cavaliers fixed heading into Game 5? Wine and Gold Talk Podcast," 24 Apr. 2018 Since taking office in 2014, Frederick has been trying to engineer a financial turnaround at a school plagued by internal challenges and external pressures. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "Howard University fires six employees after investigation into misappropriated funding," 28 Mar. 2018 Since taking office in 2014, Frederick has been trying to engineer a financial turnaround at a school plagued by internal challenges and external pressures. — Sarah Larimer, Washington Post, "Howard University fires six employees after investigation into misappropriated funding," 28 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

And North Carolina is far from the only state to dramatically turn around its climate policies in recent years. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Governor races really matter for climate change. Here are the ones to watch.," 5 Nov. 2018 Now, with her sister’s two teenage sons lumbering in and out and her 4-year-old daughter pattering around plastic chairs, water buckets, and a coal pit on the dusty floor, Loum barely has room to turn around. — Deirdre Fernandes, BostonGlobe.com, "An education in hope," 7 July 2018 After climbing part of the way up the Met stairs, Gaga and her crew turned around to go back to the bottom, only to bless us with an outfit change right on the red carpet. — Jihan Forbes, Allure, "Lady Gaga Just Changed Four Times on the Met Gala Red Carpet," 6 May 2019 Black women sent a Democrat to the Senate in Alabama, and then turned around and ran in the biggest numbers ever statewide. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "Women are running — and winning — in 2018," 16 Aug. 2018 Sitting alone in the dock wearing a tatty orange jump suit, James Ricketson turns around to give the press in the courtroom a wearied shrug. — Eli Meixler / Phnom Penh, Time, "Cambodia Is Putting an Australian Filmmaker on Trial for Espionage. His Family Says He's Innocent," 15 June 2018 Advertising Whether Boeing finally turns around a snakebit program with a legacy of scandal and delays is the critical question. — Jon Talton, The Seattle Times, "Boeing’s other problem: Much-needed Air Force tanker keeps hitting snafus," 12 Apr. 2019 But the suspect eventually turned around and again charged at officers. — Jim Ryan, OregonLive.com, "Man jumps on cop car, charges at police, hits officer before being shot with foam bullet: police," 7 June 2018 Then the economy turned around and investors started taking advantage of Greece’s low real estate transfer taxes and annual property taxes. — Nancy Trejos, USA TODAY, "Dream homes: Five tempting properties for sale on the Greek Islands," 5 June 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near turnaround

turn against

turn and bank indicator

turn around

turnaround

turn around and (do something)

turn away

turn back

Statistics for turnaround

Last Updated

17 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for turnaround

The first known use of turnaround was in 1926

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More Definitions for turnaround

turnaround

noun

Financial Definition of turnaround

What It Is

A turnaround occurs when a company takes successful steps to correct a period of deteriorating financial performance.

How It Works

To turn a business' financial results around, companies often obtain special financing for revitalization projects or hire managers with a proven track record of improving the financial results at struggling companies. Famous "turnaround" CEOs include Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap, who was hired in 1996 to turn Sunbeam around, or Jacques "The Knife" Nasser, who was tapped in 1999 to revitalize operations at Ford (NYSE: F).

Turnarounds frequently involve stabilizing the business and then cutting costs, reducing the workforce, selling superfluous assets, divesting entire divisions, retiring excess debt, and/or dramatically changing how the company markets or sells its products. In some cases, turnarounds also involve filing for bankruptcy in an effort to reduce/restructure heavy debt loads.

Why It Matters

Turnaround efforts can be risky and don't always end in success. According to a Harvard Business Review study, about 70% of all turnaround efforts fail. However, some companies -- like MCI and K-Mart -- have emerged from bankruptcy, addressed critical problems, and made gradual improvements.

By definition, companies in need of a turnaround have reported declining financial results, and many have seen their shares collapse as investors lost faith and sold their positions. As a result, companies seeking to turn around their operations often trade at a sharp discount. Such firms often capture the attention of value investors, particularly when there is a strong possibility that turnaround efforts are likely to deliver improved financial performance in the near future. In fact, the mere announcement that a company plans to engage in turnaround efforts often results in an increased stock price.

Source: Investing Answers

turnaround

noun