turnaround

1 of 2

noun

turn·​around ˈtərn-ə-ˌrau̇nd 

1

a

: the action of receiving, processing, and returning something

24-hour turnaround time on most orders

b

: the process of readying a transport vehicle for departure after its arrival

also : the time spent in this process

a quick turnaround between flights

2

a

: turnabout sense 1a

a corporate turnaround

b

: turnabout sense 1b

3

: a space permitting the turning around of a vehicle

4

: a jump shot by a player facing away from the basket who turns toward the basket while shooting

—often used attributively

a turnaround jumper

turn around

2 of 2

verb

turned around; turning around; turns around

intransitive verb

1

: to become changed for the better

2

: to act in an abrupt, different, or surprising manner

—used with and

after three years he just turned around and left school

transitive verb

: to change for the better

turned her life around

Synonyms

Noun

• about-face
• about-turn [British]
• flip-flop
• reversal
• turnabout
• U-turn
• volte-face

Examples of turnaround in a Sentence

Noun

The turnaround for most orders is 24 hours.

There is a 24-hour turnaround time on most orders.

a quick turnaround between flights

The team needs a big turnaround after their loss last week.

The company has achieved a remarkable turnaround in the past year.

The latest news has caused a turnaround in public opinion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These are problems that have festered for decades, and no one expects a quick turnaround, but after all of the promises and all the money invested, people are tired of waiting for clear signs of progress. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Dollar Tree said on Thursday that its interim CEO would take on the role permanently as the company looks to make a turnaround. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

The merger could be key to turning around a difficult period for Honda and Nissan. —New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2024

But their sadness immediately turned around when the homeowners of their old place shared that Marshall was, in fact, alive. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

turnaround

1 of 2 noun

turn·​around ˈtər-nə-ˌrau̇nd 

1

: turnabout

2

: the time needed for one complete cycle or round trip from start to destination and back

turn around

2 of 2 verb

1

: to act in a sudden, different, or surprising manner

he just turned around and left home

2

: to change for the better

turned her life around