turnstile

noun

turn·​stile ˈtərn-ˌstī(-ə)l 

: a post with arms pivoted on the top set in a passageway so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one

Examples of turnstile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two years ago, all eight of the quarter-final ties were played at the club’s main stadium with over 200,000 fans going through the turnstiles and an average gate of over 25,000 for the eight games. —Asif Burhan, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Currently, the Union Square subway station, with 58,000 riders passing through the turnstiles each day on average, is the city’s fourth busiest behind Times Square, Grand Central and Herald Square. —David Moin, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025

Perhaps emboldened or skewed by that initial success, the turnstile approach became the prevailing way. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2025

The Bronx district attorney’s office confirmed that Williams had been arrested three times in the 1990s, all for misdemeanor turnstile jumping and drug possession. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for turnstile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

turnstile

noun

turn·​stile -ˌstīl 

: a post having arms which turn around that is set in an entrance or exit so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one