turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət 

ˈtə-rət, 

ˈtu̇r-ət 

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

Second focal plane scopes with MOA turrets and reticles still dominate the hunting market, however. —John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026

There’s a three-story turret, a front porch the size of some one-bedrooms, and a private driveway (with a porte cochere, no less). —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Jan. 2026

The picks were something of a surprise considering the turret is usually filled with Survivor and Big Brother players (who are generally better versed in reality competition gaming strategy than their Bravo counterparts). —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

These structures help trigger premature detonation, deflect attacks, or block small drones targeting the turret roof. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for turret

• urate

Kids Definition

turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət  ˈtə-rət 

tu̇r-ət

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