# turning

/ˈtɝnɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈɜːnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turning
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a place to turn off a road

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

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

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

- Take the second turning on the left after you pass the post office.
- 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. the act of rotating

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The constant turning of the wheels made a rhythmic clicking sound.
- The slow turning of the seasons brings a predictable shift in the local ecosystem, affecting both flora and fauna alike.

### 3. shaping on a lathe

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- He spent years mastering the art of wood turning to make beautiful bowls.
- Precision turning is required to ensure that the metal components fit together with the tight tolerances necessary for aerospace engineering.

## Examples

- Take the second turning on the left.
- After you pass the old church, look for a small turning that leads toward the river.
- The driver missed the critical turning in the heavy fog, forcing the team to backtrack several miles along the deserted coastal highway.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.