turnkey

adjective turn·key \ ˈtərn-ˌkē \

Updated on: 24 Mar 2018

Definition of turnkey

: built, supplied, or installed complete and ready to operate

a turnkey nuclear plant

a turnkey computer system

; also : of or relating to a turnkey building or installation

a turnkey contract

turnkey vendors

See turnkey defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of turnkey

1927

Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

turnkey

noun

Definition of turnkey

plural turnkeys

: one who has charge of a prison's keys

Recent Examples of turnkey from the Web

Read more: Solution: Choose TIA over turnkey When possible, opt for a tenant improvement allowance.

— adam felson, Detroit Free Press, "Here's how to avoid creating a crummy office space," 16 Mar. 2018
The turnkey apartment has been gutted and is fitted with all new appliances and finishes.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "Ira Glass Is Selling His Chelsea Apartment For $1,750,000," 16 Nov. 2017
Buchnevich moved into a turnkey apartment near Madison Square Garden for the easy rink commute, but found that location at once loud and lonely.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Pavel Buchnevich is Sparking the Rangers ... All While He Tries to Master English," 14 Dec. 2017
The turnkey market includes stores like Mason & Painter that stocks industrial salvage containers artfully turned into plant pots.

— sahar khan, Vogue, "A Guide to London’s Eclectic Markets (And What to Buy at Each)," 13 Dec. 2017
In addition to partnering with Lyft, Drive also offers mobility services to corporate customers, helping them move people and packages on an on-demand, turnkey basis.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Lyft’s strategy: Be the Android of the self-driving car business," 9 Sep. 2017
Time Out has designed all of the kiosks to be turnkey for any new restaurant to quickly start cooking.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "Will this new food hall bring locals back to South Beach?," 4 Oct. 2017
The Backyard Box is actually an entire line of detached accessory dwelling units — various sizes and configurations, all sustainable, modern, turnkey and ADA-adaptable.

— sandy deneau dunham, The Seattle Times, "This little Backyard Box holds a lot of flexibility — and big-time design," 30 Aug. 2017
That type of new-school turnkey website is exactly what Le Turtle restaurateur Taavo Somer was trying to avoid too.

— elyssa goldberg, Bon Appetit, "These Restaurant Websites Are Super Weird and Awesome," 13 Mar. 2017

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

First Known Use of turnkey

1647

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

TURNKEY Defined for English Language Learners

turnkey

adjective

Definition of turnkey for English Language Learners

: complete and ready to be used

Learn More about turnkey

See words that rhyme with turnkey Britannica English: Translation of turnkey for Arabic speakers

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turnkey

Definition of turnkey

First Known Use of turnkey

Other Job Terms

turnkey

Definition of turnkey

Recent Examples of turnkey from the Web

First Known Use of turnkey

Other Business Terms

TURNKEY Defined for English Language Learners

turnkey

Definition of turnkey for English Language Learners

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turnkey

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turnkey

Definition of turnkey

Recent Examples of turnkey from the Web

First Known Use of turnkey

Other Business Terms

TURNKEY Defined for English Language Learners

turnkey

Definition of turnkey for English Language Learners

Learn More about turnkey

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