U-turn

American  

[yoo-turn] / ˈjuˌtɜrn /

noun

U-turns plural

1. a U -shaped turn made by a vehicle so as to head in the opposite direction from its original course.

2. a reversal of policy, tactics, or the like, resembling such a maneuver.

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verb (used without object)

1. to execute a U-turn.

   to U-turn into oncoming traffic.

U-turn British  

noun

1. a turn made by a vehicle in the shape of a U, resulting in a reversal of direction

2. a complete change in direction of political or other policy

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• U-turns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of U-turn

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

U-turn U-turns

This year’s Red Sox can only hope their U-turn under Chad Tracy mirrors his dad’s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

The mood was also lifted by strong Wall Street earnings, while US President Donald Trump's U-turn on threats to impose levies on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz provided a little support.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

In Araujo’s case, surveillance video shows a white van being followed by two SUVs, making a U-turn, and pulling over, but doesn’t seem to have captured the fatal shot.

From Slate ● Jul. 8, 2026

Pubs across the country remained open all night after the government U-turn on licensing laws permitted them to stay open until 05:00.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Bernabe negotiated a tight U-turn, paused to let a two-ton flatbed, piled high with hay bales from Colorado, zoom down the highway, then crossed the road and pulled over slightly ahead of Amarante.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

The Singapore-flagged Xin Long Yang and Liberia-flagged Rodos had loaded their oil at Saudi ports and were headed toward Bab al-Mandeb when they made U-turns and instead headed north toward the Suez Canal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

He announced that he would resign as prime minister and Labour Party leader in June after a string of scandals, missteps and policy U-turns blighted his leadership.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

Legislation to ban conversion practices was first promised in 2018, but was subject to several government U-turns and the resignation of the government's LGBT+ Advisory Panel.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

There have been more than a dozen big U-turns.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

With every step, frantic golden arrows appeared beneath his feet, bending into U-turns on the floor.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• change of mind
• reversal
• turnaround