ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turning

n.
US //ˈtɝnɪŋ// UK //tˈɜːnɪŋ// turn·ing
  1. 1 a place to turn off a road (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    a place where you can leave one road to join another.

    a point at which a road or path branches off from another; a junction or side road.

    Example

    Take the second turning on the left after you pass the post office.

    Example

    The driver missed the obscure turning into the village, forcing us to continue several miles before we could safely reverse course.

    Usage

    Commonly used in British English when giving directions; American English speakers typically use 'turn' or 'turn-off'.
  2. 2 the act of rotating (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the movement of something going around in a circle or changing its position.

    the action or process of rotating around an axis or changing orientation.

    Example

    The constant turning of the wheels made a rhythmic clicking sound.

    Example

    The slow turning of the seasons brings a predictable shift in the local ecosystem, affecting both flora and fauna alike.
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  1. 3 shaping on a lathe (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

    the process of using a machine to cut and shape wood or metal while it spins.

    the operation of shaping wood, metal, or other material by rotating it against a cutting tool on a lathe.

    Example

    He spent years mastering the art of wood turning to make beautiful bowls.

    Example

    Precision turning is required to ensure that the metal components fit together with the tight tolerances necessary for aerospace engineering.
Etymology 1

From Middle English turnyng, turnynge, from Old English tyrning, turnung, equivalent to turn + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English turninge, turnynge, turninde, turnand, turnende, from Old English tyrnende, turniende, present participle of Old English tyrnan, turnian (“to turn”). Equivalent to turn + -ing.

Idioms1 entry

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