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

Mobile missile system The Avenger features a 360-degree rotating turret with two missile pods mounted on a Humvee’s heavy chassis and can fire FIM-92 Stinger missiles. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

What stands out most prominently is its striking exterior, featuring Art Nouveau details, masonry turrets, and private front terraces. — Rachel Freundt, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

In the Traitors’ turret, Katie and Tomica are able to have it out over Tomica saying Katie’s name as a potential Traitor, and Katie then voting for Tomica. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Strategy has been nonexistent in that turret — another problem — but Jama has been visibly exasperated by Acaster’s guilty conscience. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

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