turnstile

noun

turn·​stile ˈtərn-ˌstī(-ə)l 

: a post with arms pivoted on the top set in a passageway so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one

Examples of turnstile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One recent example, in 2023, 600,000 state fairgoers passed through Cal Expo’s turnstiles — a 9% drop from the previous year and 43% from the fair’s 2001 peak. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Dec. 2025

After settling their bills, many walked a few steps out the door and right to the turnstiles to catch a downtown 1 train at the 50th Street station. —The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025

The light rail operates on an open system, meaning there aren’t barriers like turnstiles or ticket checks that might flag when a passenger violates an exclusion. —Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025

There’s the click when the turnstile turns, a beep when the ticket is accepted. —Andy Mitten, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for turnstile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

turnstile

noun

turn·​stile -ˌstīl 

: a post having arms which turn around that is set in an entrance or exit so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one