ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turnover

n. · adj.
US //ˈtɝˌnoʊvɝ// UK //tˈɜːnəʊvɐ// turnover
  1. 1 replacement rate (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the rate at which a shop sells and replaces its stock, or the rate at which employees leave and are replaced.

    the frequency or ratio at which a particular resource, such as inventory or personnel, is replaced within a given period.

    Example

    The company has a high staff turnover because the working hours are very long.

    Example

    High employee turnover can be a significant drain on corporate resources due to the cumulative costs of recruitment and training for new hires.

  2. 2 a type of pastry (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    a small pie made by folding a piece of pastry over a filling, like apple or cherry.

    a small, often semicircular pastry formed by folding a piece of dough over a sweet or savoury filling and sealing the edges.

    Example

    I bought a warm apple turnover from the bakery for my breakfast.

    Example

    The chef prepared a tray of golden-brown cherry turnovers, dusting each one with a fine layer of powdered sugar before serving.

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  1. 3 loss of possession (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a situation in a game where one team loses the ball to the other team.

    an instance in which a team loses possession of the ball or puck to the opposition before a shot is attempted.

    Example

    The team lost the game because they made too many turnovers in the second half.

    Example

    The coach attributed the defeat to a series of unforced turnovers that allowed the opposing team to dominate the transition game.

  2. 4 transferred apprentice (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    a student worker who is moved from one master to another to finish their training.

    an apprentice who is legally transferred from one master to another to complete the remainder of their term of service.

    Example

    The young blacksmith was a turnover, finishing his final year of training with a new master.

    Example

    Historical records from the guild indicate that the boy was a turnover, having been reassigned after his original master fell into bankruptcy.

    • transferee
  3. 5 able to be flipped (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    made in a way that allows it to be turned over or flipped.

    constructed or designed to be capable of being overturned or inverted.

    Example

    The mechanic used a turnover tool to reach the bottom of the engine.

    Example

    The assembly line featured a turnover mechanism designed to invert the chassis for underbody inspections.

Origin

Deverbal from turn over.

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