turf

American  

[turf] / tɜrf /

noun

plural

turfs,

plural

turves

1. a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.

2. peat, especially as material for fuel.

3. a block or piece of peat dug for fuel.

4. Slang.

   1. the neighborhood over which a street gang asserts its authority.

   2. a familiar area, as of residence or expertise.

      Denver is her turf. When you talk literature you're getting into my turf.

5. Chiefly British. a piece cut or torn from the surface of grassland; sod.

6. the turf,

   1. the track over which horse races are run.

   2. the practice or sport of racing horses.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to cover with turf or sod.

2. British Slang. to remove from a desirable office or position; expel; kick out.

   He was turfed from leadership of the group.

turf British  

/ tɜːf /

noun

1. the surface layer of fields and pastures, consisting of earth containing a dense growth of grasses with their roots; sod

2. a piece cut from this layer, used to form lawns, verges, etc

3. 1. a track, usually of grass or dirt, where horse races are run

   2. horse racing as a sport or industry

4. slang the territory or area of activity over which a person or group claims exclusive rights

5. an area of knowledge or influence

   he's on home turf when it comes to music

6. another term for peat 1

7. informal to be an unavoidable part of a particular situation or process

---

verb

1. (tr) to cover with pieces of turf

Usage

What does turf mean? Turf is the top layer of a grassy area consisting of a kind of mat of grass and its roots. It’s the layer you could cut out and pull up in one piece. Such pieces are in fact pulled up and used to form lawns. This is also called turf. A close synonym is sod. Artificial turf is a surface that’s supposed to resemble a grassy surface, such as is sometimes used on sports fields. A name for one kind of this is Astroturf. Turf is also a term for the area that a gang claims as its exclusive territory. This sense of turf can also be used more casually to refer to a physical or figurative area that one claims as one’s own, such as an area of expertise, as in Advertising is my turf, so please stick to accounting. This use of the word turf is used in the phrases turf war and home turf. Example: My cat claimed my dog’s bed as her turf, and the dog’s not happy about it.

Other Word Forms

• returf verb (used with object)
• turfless adjective
• turflike adjective
• unturfed adjective

Etymology

Origin of turf

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, cognate with Dutch turf, German Torf (from Low German ), Old Norse torf, akin to Sanskrit darbha “tuft of grass”; turbary

Explanation

When you're walking on the perfect green grass of a golf course, you might remark on the gorgeous turf. Turf is the top layer of ground, especially when it's planted with grass. From its original meaning, referring to the top layer of soil in which plants are rooted, turf has expanded to include a range of senses. While you might carefully maintain your beautiful backyard turf, your dog might think of it as his turf, barking to defend it from intruders. This sense of turf means "range of influence," or territory. Both meanings of the word come from a Germanic root that originated in a Sanskrit word, darbha, "blade of grass."

Example Sentences

The 3-year-old filly, trained by Peter Eurton, was making her sixth career start, the last three in turf races.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Football legend Pele once trod its turf, and international sporting competitions have been held there.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

It was first worn in the 1880s when Scotland defeated England 6-1 on their home turf, a scoreline that had never been seen before.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Plus, gloves, helmets, elbow guards, leg protectors, arm sleeves, sliding mitts, cleats, turf shoes, the coolest sunglasses, Bruce Bolt batting gloves, fluorescent batting grips, socks, pants, belts and garments known simply as “ice-cream shorts.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

As Taran watched, Gwydion knelt and sighted along the turf.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• earth
• grass
• ground
• sod
• soil
• terrain
• territory
• track