turndown

1 of 3

noun

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce turndown (audio)
1
: something turned down
also : an instance of turning something (such as a bed sheet) down
hotel turndown service
2
3

turndown

2 of 3

adjective

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce turndown (audio)
: capable of being turned down
especially : worn turned down
a turndown collar

turn down

3 of 3

verb

turned down; turning down; turns down

transitive verb

1
: to reduce the height or intensity of by turning a control
turn down the radio
2
: to fold or double down
3
: to decline to accept : reject
turned down the offer
4
: to turn (a card) face downward

intransitive verb

: to be capable of being folded or doubled down
the collar turns down

Examples of turndown in a Sentence

Noun the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown Verb I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Suites come with turndown service, continental breakfasts delivered to the room each morning, and mountain views. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 For the nightly turndown service, guests are presented with food and beverage items that increase melatonin, easing them into sleep naturally. Ronny Maye, Essence, 30 Nov. 2023 Other experiences to look forward to: surprise bush meals, romantic bath turndowns, and sipping whiskey by a crackling bonfire. Mark Lakin, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2023 Guests of the latter’s 14 guest rooms and two studios — all with full kitchens and private balconies — can dial the bar for complimentary Midnight Mezcal turndown service. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Dec. 2023 And each evening, turndown service included a plate of chocolates and a small carafe of port. Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023 Splurge on the Premium Level room to gain entry to a special lounge and get turndown service. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2023 Instead of toss-away slippers at turndown, guests are gifted sturdy espadrilles at the beginning of their stay to use and take home. Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2023 At turndown, an aromatic scent of our choice was sprayed throughout the room to welcome a calming sleep. Brande Victorian, Essence, 6 June 2023
Adjective
Room service can be easily ordered via your in-room tablet, and there is nightly turndown service. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023
Verb
This came just a few hours after the Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote turned down the Biden administration’s plea to keep the law on hold. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 During a 2006 appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Dave joked about his wife's reaction to him turning down the contract. Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 When Mercury turned down his fifth album, Keith asked the label to release him from his contract. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 Young’s office earlier had turned down a request for a formal interview, unaware one of the journalists from the London paper was a dashing earl. Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 After his graduation from Harvard Business School, Dimon followed Weill to American Express—turning down offers from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers to do so. Byjasmine Li, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 About 14% of people applying for credit cards were rejected, while 10% of applicants seeking personal loans and 6% of those seeking balance transfer cards were turned down. Cortlynn Stark, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Marguerite Mariscal turned down the role of CEO at the Momofuku restaurant group and cooking product company numerous times before accepting it at just 29 years old in 2019. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 After menopause, the negative part of the amygdala is turned down. Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turndown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1763, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of turndown was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near turndown

turn down

turndown

turndun

Cite this Entry

“Turndown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turndown. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

turn down

verb
1
: to fold back or down
2
: to lower by turning a control
turn down the heat
3
: reject entry 1 sense 1
turned down the job
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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