1
: a little tower
specifically : an ornamental structure at an angle of a larger structure
2
a(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 airplane
b
: a tall building usually moved on wheels and formerly used for carrying soldiers and equipment for breaching or scaling a wall
3
a
: a pivoted and revolvable holder in a machine tool
b
: a device (as on a microscope or a television camera) holding several lenses

Examples of turret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also, that Frodo Baggins camera trick makes Katie look even tinier in the turret. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Maybe someone that wouldn’t challenge their thoughts in the turret. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 Its camera turret can pan 270 degrees and tilt more than 120 degrees. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Masked men carried what looked like gun cases into the pen and entered the castle’s turrets. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turret

Word History

Etymology

Middle English touret, from Anglo-French turette, tourette, diminutive of tur, tour tower — more at tower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of turret was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Turret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turret. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
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