turned; turning; turns
1
a
: to cause to move around an axis or a center : make rotate or revolve
turn a wheel
turn a crank
b(1)
: to cause to move around so as to effect a desired end (as of locking, opening, or shutting)
turned the knob till the door opened
(2)
: to affect or alter the functioning of (something, such as a mechanical device) or the level of (something, such as sound) by such movement
turn the oven to 400°
turn the music to full volume
c
: to execute or perform by rotating or revolving
turn handsprings
d
: to twist out of line or shape : wrench
had turned his ankle
2
a(1)
: to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle
turned her chair to the fire
(2)
: to cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
turn the page
(3)
: to cause (a scale) to move so as to register weight
b
: to revolve mentally : think over : ponder
3
a
: to reverse the sides or surfaces of : invert
turn pancakes
turn the shirt inside out
: such as
(1)
: to dig or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface
turn the compost weekly
(2)
: to make (a garment) over by reversing the material and resewing
turn a collar
(3)
: to invert (something, such as a character, rule, or slug) feet up and face down in setting type
b
: to reverse or upset the order or disposition of
everything was turned topsy-turvy
c
: to disturb or upset the mental balance of
a mind turned by grief
d
: to set in another especially contrary direction
4
5
a(1)
: to direct or point (something, such as the face) in a specified way or direction
(2)
: to present by a change in direction or position
turning his back to his guests
b
: to direct (something, such as the attention or mind) toward or away from something
d(1)
: to cause to rebound or recoil
turns their argument against them
(2)
: to make antagonistic : prejudice
turn a child against its mother
f
: to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) : train
turned the light into the dark doorway
turned a questioning eye toward her
6
a(1)
: to make acid or sour
(2)
: to change the color of (foliage)
(2)
c
: to cause to become of a specified nature or appearance
turned him into a frog
embarrassment turned her face red
d
: to exchange for something else
turn coins into paper money
e
: to cause to defect to another side
7
a
: to shape especially in a rounded form by applying a cutting tool while revolving in a lathe
b
: to give a rounded form to by any means
turn the heel of a sock
c
: to shape or mold artistically, gracefully, or neatly
a well turned phrase
8
9
a
: to gain in the course of business
turning a quick profit
b
: to keep (money, goods, etc.) moving
specifically
: to dispose of (a stock) to make room for another
c
: to make use of
turned her education to advantage
d
: to carry to completion : pull off
turned a double play
turn a deal
10
informal
: to engage in (a sex act as a sex worker)
turning tricks [=taking payment for performing sex acts]
1
a
: to move around on an axis or through an arc of a circle : rotate
b(1)
: to become focused on something specified
the conversation turned to baseball
(2)
: to have as a decisive factor : hinge
the argument turns on a point of logic
the outcome of the game turned on an interception
(3)
: to have a center (as of interest) in something specified
the discussion turned on the overall worth of the project
c
: to become giddy or dizzy : spin
heights always made his head turn
2
a
: to direct one's course
b(1)
: to reverse a course or direction
the tide has turned
(2)
: to have a reactive usually adverse effect
c
: to take a different course or direction
turned toward home
the main road turns sharply to the right
3
a
: to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way
everyone turned to stare
b
: to face toward or away from someone or something
flowers turn toward the light
c
: to change one's attitude or reverse one's course of action to one of opposition or hostility
felt the world had turned against him
d
: to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause
dogs turning on their owners
4
a
: to direct one's attention to or away from someone or something
c
: to direct one's efforts or activity : devote or apply oneself
turned to the study of the law
turned to a life of crime
d(1)
: to change one's religion
(2)
: to go over to another side or party : defect
5
a
: to become changed, altered, or transformed
the weather turned
: such as
(1)
: to change color
the leaves have turned
(2)
: to become sour, rancid, or tainted
the milk had turned
(3)
: to be variable or inconstant
(4)
: to become mentally unbalanced
(5)
archaic
: to become different
b(1)
: to pass from one state to another : change
water had turned to ice
(3)
: to become someone or something specified by change from another state : change into
turn pro
doctors turned authors
(4)
: to change by the passage of time
days turned into weeks and months
6
: to become curved or bent (as from pressure)
especially
: to become blunted by bending
the edge of the knife had turned
7
: to operate a lathe
8
of merchandise
: to be stocked and disposed of : change hands
plural turns
1
a
: the action or an act of turning about a center or axis : revolution, rotation
b
: any of various rotating or pivoting movements in dancing or gymnastics
2
a
: the action or an act of giving or taking a different direction : change of course or posture
an illegal left turn
: such as
(1)
: a drill maneuver in which troops in mass formation change direction without preserving alignment
(2)
: any of various shifts of direction in skiing
(3)
: an interruption of a curve in figure skating
c
d
: the action or an act of turning so as to face in the opposite direction : reversal of posture or course
an about turn
the turn of the tide
e
: a change effected by turning over to another side
a turn of the cards
3
: an act or deed affecting another especially when incidental or unexpected
one good turn deserves another
4
a
: a place, time, or opportunity accorded an individual or unit of a series in simple succession or in a scheduled order
waiting her turn in line
see also take turns
c
: a period or tour of duty : shift
d
: a short act or piece (as for a variety show)
e(1)
: an event in any gambling game after which bets are settled
(2)
: the order of the last three cards in faro
—used in the phrase call the turn
5
a
: an act of changing : alteration, modification
a nasty turn in the weather
b
: a change in tendency, trend, or drift
hoped for a turn in his luck
a turn for the better
an unexpected turn of events
c
: the beginning of a new period of time : the time when one period changes to the next
the turn of the century
6
a
: a fashioning of language or arrangement of words : manner of expression
skillful turns of phrase
b
: distinctive quality or character
c
: the shape or mold in which something is fashioned : cast
7
: a short trip out and back or round about
took a turn through the park
8
: something that revolves around a center: such as
a(1)
: lathe
(2)
: a catch or latch for a cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle
b
: a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or more notes that wind about the principal note by including the notes next above and next below
9
: a special purpose or requirement
—used chiefly in the phrase serve one's turn
10
a
: the state or manner of being coiled or twisted
b
: a single round (as of rope passed about an object or of wire wound on a core)
11
: natural or special ability or aptitude : bent, inclination
a turn for logic
an optimistic turn of mind
12
: a special twist, construction, or interpretation
gave the old yarn a new turn
13
a
: a disordering spell or attack (as of illness, faintness, or dizziness)
b
: a nervous start or shock
snuck up on her and gave her quite a turn
14
a
: a complete transaction involving a purchase and sale of securities
also
: a profit from such a transaction
15
: something turned or to be turned: such as
a
: a character or slug inverted in setting type
b
: a piece of type placed bottom up
Phrases
turn a blind eye
: to refuse to see : be oblivious
might turn a blind eye to the use of violence—
Arthur Krock
Arthur Krock
: to refuse to listen
: to give a sign of distress or disturbance
did not turn a hair when told of the savage murder—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
: to attract favorable attention
the car's sleek design is bound to turn heads
1
a
: to set free
turned loose the captured animal
b
: to free from all restraints
turned them loose with a pile of theme paper to write whatever they liked—Elizabeth P. Schafer
Elizabeth P. Schafer2
: to fire off : discharge
3
: to open fire
2
: forsake
turned his back on his obligations
: to set to work : apply oneself
: to cause to become infatuated or conceited
success had not turned his head
: to disgust completely : nauseate
the foul smell turned his stomach
: to turn away so as to flee
: to respond to injury or unkindness with patience : forgo retaliation
: to bring about a reversal of the relative conditions or fortunes of two contending parties
: to bring about the desired result or effect
: on every occasion : continually
they opposed her at every turn
1
: one after another in regular succession
2
: variously, alternately
a book that is by turns pedantic, delightful, and infuriating
: in due order of succession
: at the point of turning
tide is on the turn
1
: not in due order of succession
play out of turn
2
: at a wrong time or place and usually imprudently
talking out of turn
: to perfection
Synonyms
Examples of turn in a Sentence
Verb
He turned the key and opened the door.
She slowly turned the doorknob.
Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
Someone turned the switch and the lights came on.
They turned and walked away.
She turned to leave—but stopped.
He turned aside to let me pass.
The patient turned onto his side.
The photographer asked her to turn slightly to her left.
He turned himself around to see the back of his shirt in the mirror.
Noun
You have to wait your turn in line.
Is it my turn yet?
Give the wheel another turn.
He tightened the screw with one last turn.
With a turn of the switch, the lights came back on.
Take a left-hand turn at the next intersection.
a quick turn of her head
Recent Examples on the Web
Sho Dewan, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
As revolutionary new weight-loss drugs turn consumers off ultraprocessed foods, the industry is on the hunt for new products.
—Michael Sokolove Tomas Weber Emily Bazelon David Marchese Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim Eleanor Cummins Peter C. Baker John Hodgman, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
But Bird belongs to Bailey, and to first-timer Adams, who does a winning job of being unpredictable herself, even if the film would be better off delving deeper into one of the relationships in her life rather than dipping into all of them in turn.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Active listening takes tough conversations and turns them into moments that strengthen relationships.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
As revolutionary new weight-loss drugs turn consumers off ultraprocessed foods, the industry is on the hunt for new products.
—Michael Sokolove Tomas Weber Emily Bazelon David Marchese Kwame Anthony Appiah Eric Kim Eleanor Cummins Peter C. Baker John Hodgman, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
This, in turn, likely has helped inhibit the wintertime growth of the ice.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
But Bird belongs to Bailey, and to first-timer Adams, who does a winning job of being unpredictable herself, even if the film would be better off delving deeper into one of the relationships in her life rather than dipping into all of them in turn.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turn
Dictionary Entries Near turn
Cite this Entry
“Turn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turn. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turn
1 of 2 verb1
2
a
: to change in position usually by moving through an arc of a circle
they turned and walked away
turn the page
turn a pancake
b
: to examine as if by turning over : think about
turned the problem over in her mind
3
: to make over (as a garment) by reversing the material and sewing back together
turn a collar
4
a
: to upset the order of
everything was turned topsy-turvy
b
: to set in another and especially opposite direction
5
a
: to change course or direction
the road turns to the left
turning to a different subject
b
: to go around
turn a corner
6
: to direct toward or away from something
we turned toward home
7
: to seek out as a source of something
turn to a friend for help
8
10
: to give a rounded form to (as on a lathe)
turn
2 of 2 noun1
: the action or an act of turning about a center
2
a
: a change or changing of direction, course, or position
a left turn
the turn of the tide
b
: a place where something turns
at the turn of the road
c
: a change or changing of general state or condition
took a turn for the better
a turn in the weather
3
: a short walk or ride
took a turn through the park
4
: an act affecting another
one good turn deserves another
5
a
: a period of action or activity : spell
a turn as guard
b
: proper place in a waiting line or time in a schedule
wait your turn
6
: a special purpose
that will serve the turn
7
a
: special quality
a neat turn of phrase
b
: the shape or form in which something is molded : cast
an odd turn of mind
8
: a single circle or loop (as of rope passed around an object)
9
: natural or special skill
a turn for languages
Medical Definition
turn
transitive verb
: to injure by twisting or wrenching
turned his ankle
Legal Definition
turn
intransitive verb
: to have a specified decisive factor
—used with on
the first of the cases…turned on first amendment issues—K. A. Cohen
K. A. CohenLove words? Need even more definitions?
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