turnaround

T1U1R1N1A1R1O1U1N1D2
UK/ˈtɜːnəˌɹaʊnd/US/ˈtɜɹnəˌɹaʊnd/

noun

The act of turning to face in the other direction.

“The basketball player made a turnaround jump shot.”

Meanings

nounturnaround (countable and uncountable, plural turnarounds)

plural turnarounds · alternative turn-around · alternative turn around · alternative turnround

  1. countableuncountableThe act of turning to face in the other direction.

    The basketball player made a turnaround jump shot.

    Synonyms: U-turn

  2. countableuncountableA reversal of policy.

    Synonyms: U-turn

  3. countableuncountableThe carrying out of a task; the time required to carry it out.

    They tried to reduce their turnaround on incoming paperwork.

    1 more example

    They tried to reduce their turnaround time on incoming paperwork. [noun adjunct form]

  4. countableuncountableA turnabout; a reversal of circumstances.

    Drogba's goal early in the second half - his fourth in this Wembley showpiece - proved decisive as the remarkable turnaround in Chelsea's fortunes under interim manager Roberto di Matteo was rewarded with silverware.

    2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 11 Feb 2026
  5. countableuncountableartA series of sketches of a character as seen from different angles.

    Many media arts companies use turnarounds to ensure that when you draw the character you know what it looks like from the front, the side and the back.

    2012, Bryan Tillman, Creative Character Design, page 134
  6. countableuncountableentertainmentA cadence linking the end of a verse to the beginning of the next.
  7. countableuncountableentertainmentThe notation for the addition of a grace note above then below a given note.
  8. UScountablehistoricaluncountableSynonym of goback.

    Synonyms: goback

  9. countableuncountableThe scheduled shutdown of an industrial plant, such as an oil rig, for maintenance and testing.
  10. countableuncountablebroadcastingA contractual provision by which, if the studio elects to abandon a film project, the producer has a limited period in which to sell it elsewhere.
  11. countableuncountablespace flightaeronauticsPreparations for takeoff, such as loading and servicing.
  12. countableuncountablebroadcastingThe relaying of a satellite signal.

    A new company […] has been set up to provide satellite turnaround and fiber connectivity facilities between Asia and Europe.

    1999, Cyprus Embassy Newsletter, page 4

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe act of turning to face in the other direction.

Similar

nounA reversal of policy.

Similar

nounSynonym of goback.

Similar

More synonyms by meaning

nountime need to prepare a vessel or ship for a return trip

Broader

nouna decision to reverse an earlier decision

nounact or process of unloading and loading and servicing a vessel or aircraft for a return trip

Similar

nounturning in the opposite direction

Broader
change of directionreorientation

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Translations

Finnish täyskäännös, suunnanmuutos
  • täyskäännösTranslations
  • suunnanmuutosTranslations
German Kehrtwendung, Richtungsänderung
  • KehrtwendungTranslations
  • RichtungsänderungTranslations
  • UmschwungTranslations
  • WendeTranslations
Polish zmiana, zwrot
  • zmianaTranslations
  • zwrotTranslations
Portuguese volta, giro
  • voltaTranslations
  • giroTranslations
  • torneioTranslations
Turkish geri dönme, geri dönüm
  • geri dönmeTranslations
  • geri dönümTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

turnaround. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turnaround

MLA

“turnaround.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turnaround. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “turnaround,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turnaround.

Source: turnaround on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.