turner

1 of 2

noun (1)

turn·​er ˈtər-nər How to pronounce turner (audio)
: one that turns or is used for turning
a pancake turner
especially : a person who forms articles with a lathe

turner

2 of 2

noun (2)

tur·​ner ˈtər-nər How to pronounce turner (audio)
ˈtu̇r-
: a member of a turnverein : gymnast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Our test car was mercifully sticker-deleted, and the Vantage wears the rest of the aero well, making an already distinctive design even more of a head-turner. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 14 Mar. 2023 That included two 70-plus yard touchdown drives in the second half when one stop could have been a momentum-turner. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 21 Nov. 2022 Harlan Coben thrillers are a different beast, the TV equivalent of a page turner. John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Oct. 2021 His five years tramping through the jungle collecting specimens is a page turner. Monitor Readers, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2021 Joe Miller, the fire company’s president, acknowledged that the gun raffle was more of a head-turner than other fundraisers the fire company has done. James Whitlow, baltimoresun.com, 24 Feb. 2021 This holiday season, set aside the screen and pick up an actual page turner, or gift one to a worthy reader in your life. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Its daring design evokes sportiness and luxuriousness, and the sleek-looking four-door is a legitimate head-turner. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 19 Feb. 2021 Use a thin pancake turner to transfer cookies to a wire rack. WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

German, from turnen to perform gymnastic exercises, from Old High German turnēn to turn, from Medieval Latin tornare — more at turn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turner was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near turner

Cite this Entry

“Turner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turner. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

turner

noun
turn·​er
ˈtər-nər
: one that turns
especially : a kitchen tool for lifting and turning foods

Biographical Definition

Turner 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Tur·​ner ˈtər-nər How to pronounce Turner (audio)
Frederick Jackson 1861–1932 American historian

Turner

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

J(oseph) M(allord) W(illiam) 1775–1851 English painter

Turner

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Nat 1800–1831 enslaved American who led other enslaved Americans in a rebellion

Turner

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Ted 1938–     Robert Edward Turner III American television executive
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY