turning

noun

turn·​ing ˈtər-niŋ How to pronounce turning (audio)
Synonyms of turningnext
1
: the act or course of one that turns
2
: a place of a change in direction
3
a
: a forming by use of a lathe
broadly : turnery
b
turnings plural : waste produced in turning

Examples of turning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Every baseball game has multiple turning points — times when a swing being a split second sooner or a fraction of an inch higher could change everything. C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 5 July 2026 If peace could have been reached before, there’s no turning back now. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe was another major turning point. ABC News, 3 July 2026 Thousands of people attend the festivities, during which villagers wearing 18th-century period costumes reenact the 1781 Siege of Pensacola, a turning point in the American Revolution. Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for turning

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of turning was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turning. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on turning

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster