turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət 

ˈtə-rət,

ˈtu̇r-ət 

1

: a little tower

specifically : an ornamental structure at an angle of a larger structure

2

a(1)

: a revolving armored structure on a warship that protects one or more guns mounted within it

(2)

: a similar upper structure usually for one gun on a tank

(3)

: a gunner's fixed or movable enclosure in an airplane

b

: a tall building usually moved on wheels and formerly used for carrying soldiers and equipment for breaching or scaling a wall

3

a

: a pivoted and revolvable holder in a machine tool

b

: a device (as on a microscope or a television camera) holding several lenses

Examples of turret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jod begrudgingly agrees, and everyone boards the ship, with Wim and Fern manning the turrets, and Neel at the controls. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 10 Dec. 2024

One Russian survivor sprinted right past the lead Ukrainian tank’s turret. —David Axe, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

The episode’s final image is Rhaenyra, who’s hardly blinked or uttered a word since opening the Hunger Games, flanked by dragons, Silverwing perched on the castle turrets in the distance. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 28 July 2024

The castle has seven grand pianos, nineteen balconies, six turrets, and twenty-three chaise longues. —Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English touret, from Anglo-French turette, tourette, diminutive of tur, tour tower — more at tower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

turret

noun

tur·​ret ˈtər-ət  ˈtə-rət 

tu̇r-ət

1

: a little tower often at a corner of a building

2

: a low usually rotating structure (as in a tank, warship, or airplane) in which guns are mounted