turning Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
   turn.
   
   • he took a turn to the right
2. noun act of changing in practice or custom
   
   • the law took many turnings over the years
3. noun a shaving created when something is produced by turning it on a lathe
   
4. noun a movement in a new direction
   turn.
   
   • the turning of the wind
5. noun the end-product created by shaping something on a lathe
   
6. noun the activity of shaping something on a lathe
   
7. verb change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
   turn.
   
   • Turn towards me
   • The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face
   • She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs
8. verb undergo a transformation or a change of position or action
   turn; change state.
   
   • We turned from Socialism to Capitalism
   • The people turned against the President when he stole the election
9. verb undergo a change or development
   become; turn.
   
   • The water turned into ice
   • Her former friend became her worst enemy
   • He turned traitor
10. verb cause to move around or rotate
    turn.
    
    • turn a key
    • turn your palm this way
11. verb change to the contrary
    turn; change by reversal; reverse.
    
    • The trend was reversed
    • the tides turned against him
    • public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
12. verb pass to the other side of
    turn; move around.
    
    • turn the corner
    • move around the obstacle
13. verb pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
    turn; grow.
    
    • The weather turned nasty
    • She grew angry
14. verb let (something) fall or spill from a container
    release; turn.
    
    • turn the flour onto a plate
15. verb move around an axis or a center
    turn.
    
    • The wheels are turning
16. verb cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
    turn; turn over.
    
    • turn a page of a book
17. verb to send or let go
    turn.
    
    • They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
18. verb to break and turn over earth especially with a plow
    turn; plow; plough.
    
    • Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
    • turn the earth in the Spring
19. verb shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel
    turn.
    
    • turn the legs of the table
    • turn the clay on the wheel
20. verb change color
    turn.
    
    • In Vermont, the leaves turn early
21. verb twist suddenly so as to sprain
    twist; turn; rick; wrick; sprain; wrench.
    
    • wrench one's ankle
    • The wrestler twisted his shoulder
    • the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell
    • I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days
22. verb cause to change or turn into something different; assume new characteristics
    turn.
    
    • The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him
    • The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold
23. verb accomplish by rotating
    turn.
    
    • turn a somersault
    • turn cartwheels
24. verb get by buying and selling
    turn.
    
    • the company turned a good profit after a year
25. verb cause to move along an axis or into a new direction
    turn.
    
    • turn your face to the wall
    • turn the car around
    • turn your dance partner around
26. verb channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something
    turn.
    
    • The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction
    • people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium
27. verb cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
    twist; flex; turn; bend; deform.
    
    • bend the rod
    • twist the dough into a braid
    • the strong man could turn an iron bar
28. verb alter the functioning or setting of
    turn.
    
    • turn the dial to 10
    • turn the heat down
29. verb direct at someone
    turn.
    
    • She turned a smile on me
    • They turned their flashlights on the car
30. verb have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to
    turn; call on.
    
    • She called on her Representative to help her
    • She turned to her relatives for help
31. verb go sour or spoil
    ferment; turn; sour; work.
    
    • The milk has soured
    • The wine worked
    • The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
32. verb become officially one year older
    turn.
    
    • She is turning 50 this year

WordNet