Definition & Meaning of "Turn"

Turn

/tˈɜːn/

/ˈtɝn/

to turn

VERB

to rotate something so that it is facing a different direction or is in a different position

1.1

to fold or unfold something, particularly a fabric

Example

I'll turn the cuffs of the sleeves for a neater look.

He turned the brim of his hat to shield his eyes from the sun.

1.2

(with reference to a book, magazine, etc.) to move a page so that one can read or look at its other side

Example

He absentmindedly turned the pages of the old photo album.

She carefully turned the page of her favorite novel.

1.3

to move in a circular direction around a fixed line or point

Example

The windmill's sails started to turn as the breeze picked up.

As she cranked the handle, the music box's tiny dancer began to turn.

The fan blades above our heads began turning, providing a welcome breeze.

to rotate or shift our body to face a different direction

2.1

(with reference to one's ankle) to twist suddenly, particularly in a way that causes a sprain

Example

She accidentally turned her ankle while running on the uneven pavement.

She turned her ankle during dance practice and had to sit out the performance.

While hiking, he turned his ankle on a hidden tree root.

He turned his ankle playing basketball, and it swelled up quickly.

2.2

to change the direction or orientation of a body part so that it faces a different way

Example

She turned her face to the window to see outside.

I turned my back to the wind to shield myself from the cold.

He turned his chin up to face the rain with a smile.

2.3

to perform a movement that involves moving one's body in a circle

Example

During recess, they often turn somersaults on the playground.

The acrobat's specialty is to turn aerial twists in the circus.

The children in the park love to turn cartwheels on the grass.

She likes to turn flips in the gymnastics class.

They practiced how to turn backflips at the cheerleading practice.

to shift or redirect one's course or path to face a different direction or follow a new route

3.1

(of the tide) to change its direction or flow from either incoming to outgoing or vice versa

3.2

to change the direction of something's movement by rotating or steering it

3.3

(of roads, paths, or rivers) to change direction by bending or curving in a particular way

(of one's attention or interest) to shift or focus on a particular subject, matter, or idea

4.1

to direct one's attention or interest toward something or away from it

to reach a certain age

5.1

to reach or pass a particular moment or hour, denoting a specific point in time

to change or transform from one state or condition to another

6.1

(with reference to milk) to cause to become sour or spoiled

Example

The tide will turn soon, so we should move our towels back.

Fishermen often pay close attention to when the tide will turn, as it can affect their catch.

The lifeguard told us not to swim when the tide is about to turn.

6.2

(of foliage) to transition from one color to another, often due to seasonal changes

Example

I turned the car smoothly into the parking space at the mall.

She turned the bicycle sharply to avoid the pothole.

Turning the car onto the highway, we began our road trip.

To park the boat properly, they needed to turn it parallel to the dock.

6.3

(of milk) to become sour or spoiled

Example

The path turns gradually as it winds its way up the mountain.

The river turns southward just before it reaches the valley.

The hiking trail turns sharply to the right, leading us deeper into the forest.

As we approached the coast, the road began to turn and follow the shoreline.

6.4

to make someone or something change into a particular state or condition

6.5

to undergo a change in state or form

6.6

to experience a loss of mental balance, resulting in irrational or disoriented behavior

to carefully pour or transfer the contents from an upside-down container into another surface or container

to skillfully and artistically shape or craft something, like a tune, sentence, or remark, to give it an elegant and graceful form

to shape or mold an object or material by bending or manipulating it

9.1

to carve or shape wood or metal using a particular tool or machine called lathe

Example

The warm weather can quickly turn the milk.

Rapid temperature changes can cause milk to turn sour.

Be careful not to turn the milk by exposing it to high temperatures.

Leaving the milk out of the fridge too long can turn it sour.

The bacteria in the milk can turn it sour if not stored properly.

9.2

to break up the soil in order to prepare it for planting crops, particularly with a plow

Example

Foliage turns brown in winter.

The trees turn colorful in the fall.

The trees by the lake turn golden in autumn.

In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and orange.

9.3

to intentionally bend back the edge of a blade to make it blunt and less sharp

Example

The milk turned sour after just a few hours without refrigeration.

The expired milk in the fridge has turned and shouldn't be consumed.

The milk in the fridge turned bad after a week.

The power outage made the refrigerator stop working, and the milk turned.

9.4

to bend or curve due to pressure or force

Example

The stormy weather turned the sea a turbulent gray.

The constant rain turned the roads slippery and dangerous.

The unexpected betrayal had turned her trust wary.

to successfully achieve or accomplish a task or goal

to cause someone or something to leave where they are or be placed in a particular condition

11.1

to make someone or a group move away or retreat

(of merchandise) to be bought or sold, often within a commercial or retail setting

12.1

to sell, exchange, or dispose of items, typically goods or stock, particularly to create space for new items or generate revenue

Example

The craftsman turned intricate designs into the chair legs.

He turned a beautiful wooden bowl on the lathe.

She turned the table legs to perfection.

The woodworking class learned how to turn various shapes and patterns on the lathe.

to cause a change in the course of a competition or war, resulting in a different person, team, or side beginning to win or gain an advantage

13.1

(of a war, competition, etc.) to change in its course or development, causing a different person, team, or side to gain the upper hand and start winning

13.2

to move around or bypass a defensive line or position to attack it from a different direction

to exchange, convert, or alter the functioning of something

Turn

NOUN

the time when someone has the opportunity, obligation, or right to do a certain thing that everyone in a group does one after the other

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

a place in a road, river, etc. where it bends

an unforeseen development

the act of turning away or in the opposite direction

turning or twisting around (in place)

a movement in a new direction

taking a short walk out and back

a favor for someone

a specific performance or act, particularly on stage in theater or entertainment settings

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

the third round of betting in which the dealer reveals an additional community card face-up on the table after the Flop

Example

The scientist turned the microscope toward the specimen.

He turned the bicycle handlebars to the right.

I turned the chair to its side to fit it through the narrow doorway.

The unexpected alliance turned the balance of power in the negotiations.

The scientist turned the microscope toward the specimen.

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