Definition of turret
1 : a little tower; specifically : an ornamental structure at an angle of a larger structure
2a (1) : a revolving armored structure on a warship that protects one or more guns mounted within it (2) : a similar upper structure usually for one gun on a tank (3) : a gunner's fixed or movable enclosure in an airplaneb : a tall building usually moved on wheels and formerly used for carrying soldiers and equipment for breaching or scaling a wall
3a : a pivoted and revolvable holder in a machine toolb : a device (as on a microscope or a television camera) holding several lenses
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Recent Examples of turret from the Web
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Last summer, four men were shot in front of the neighborhood’s signature entrance — the four-story turret of Big Ben Liquor Store that looms over New York Avenue and North Capitol Street.
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Steve visited the now-dormant ship about 20 years ago and saw the guns, the turrets, the hammocks, the bunk that still sported his father's name, the snapshots of the stories his father had shared.
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The nomination application gushed about the one-story, polygonal wraparound porch that enclosed a large square turret tower -- classic Queen Anne features.
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The three person crew sits in a protective capsule in the hull and the turret is unmanned, with the main gun loaded by a mechanical autoloader.
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An American firm, More Industries, offers a turret that can aim and fire two automatic shotguns.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'turret'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of turret
Middle English touret, from Anglo-French turette, tourette, diminutive of tur, tour tower — more at tower
First Known Use: 14th century
TURRET Defined for English Language Learners
turret
playDefinition of turret for English Language Learners
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: a small tower on a building
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: the part on a military tank, airplane, or ship from which guns are fired
TURRET Defined for Kids
turret
playDefinition of turret for Students
1 : a little tower often at a corner of a building
2 : a low usually rotating structure (as in a tank, warship, or airplane) in which guns are mounted
Learn More about turret
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Spanish Central: Translation of turret Nglish: Translation of turret for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of turret for Arabic speakers
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