1
a
: the upper stratum of soil bound by grass and plant roots into a thick mat
also
: a piece of this
b
: an artificial substitute for this (as on a playing field)
c
2
a
: territory that one considers to be under one's control
… a sea lion colony of 30 or more animals sleeping or fighting to protect their turf.—
Kerrie Waterworth
Kerrie WaterworthThe assassination attempt served as a warning …. It … had the hallmark of the cartel staking out its turf, she [Gladys McCormick] said.—Reuters
Reutersgot caught in a turf war
b
: a frequently or habitually visited place : stomping ground
He grew up in Pennsylvania, in the small town of Shillington outside Reading, and seemed tickled to be returning to his old turf.—Amy Gamerman
Amy Gamerman
c
: territory sense 2
… would have to play two of the last three games on hostile turf.—Joe Klein
Joe KleinIn chapter two, the author is on unfamiliar turf.
also
: a sphere of activity or influence
… people who could hurt him on his own foreign-policy turf. —Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal If you can't compete directly, fight them outside of their turf. Target a different audience, or utilize channels that your competitors aren't currently touching. —Timothy Carter
Timothy Carter 3
a
: a track or course for horse racing
b
: the sport or business of horse racing
4
a
b
: a piece of peat dried for fuel
turfed; turfing; turfs
1
: to cover with turf
2
chiefly British
: to eject forcibly : kick
—usually used with out
Synonyms
Examples of turf in a Sentence
Noun
a lawn made by laying turfs
Synthetic turf was installed in the playing field instead of grass.
playing fields with artificial turfs
The team played on home turf.
Verb
the pub keeper doesn't hesitate to turf out anyone who gets too drunk
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
The duo then quickly recall increasingly ridiculous moments from their past together, including taking a road trip, almost dying in a plane crash, being kidnapped, fighting a turf war, and meeting a ghost.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Matt Yan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2024
Any effort to turf MBS out of his central position in the current Saudi system would amount to something very close to regime change, which has not worked out well for the United States in the Middle East.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 30 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for turf 
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Noun
On its home turf of France, the Duo has a starting price of €9,090 (including an eco-bonus deduction).
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024
The duo then quickly recall increasingly ridiculous moments from their past together, including taking a road trip, almost dying in a plane crash, being kidnapped, fighting a turf war, and meeting a ghost.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
Rentals with in-unit laundry and turfed pet areas both had around 76 percent more shares and 91 percent more saves than comparable units without them.
—Matt Yan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2024
Any effort to turf MBS out of his central position in the current Saudi system would amount to something very close to regime change, which has not worked out well for the United States in the Middle East.
—F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 30 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for turf
Dictionary Entries Near turf
Cite this Entry
“Turf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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