turkey
a large, gallinaceous bird of the family Meleagrididae, especially Meleagris gallopavo, of America, that typically has green, reddish-brown, and yellowish-brown plumage of a metallic luster and that is domesticated in most parts of the world.
the flesh of this bird, used as food.
the ocellated turkey.
Slang.
a naive, stupid, or inept person.
a poor and unsuccessful theatrical production; flop.
Bowling. three strikes in succession.
Idioms about turkey
talk turkey, Informal. to talk frankly; mean business.
Origin of turkey
1Words Nearby turkey
Other definitions for Turkey (2 of 2)
or Tür·kiye
a republic in western Asia and southeastern Europe. 296,184 sq. mi. (767,120 sq. km): 286,928 sq. mi. (743,145 sq. km) in Asia; 9,257 sq. mi. (23,975 sq. km) in Europe. Capital: Ankara.
usage note For Turkey
Other words from Turkey
- an·ti-Tur·key, an·ti-Tür·kiye, adjective
- pro-Tur·key, pro-Tür·kiye, adjective
- Compare Ottoman Empire.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use turkey in a sentence
That month, turkey’s finance minister Berat Albayrak—Erdogan’s son-in-law—resigned, and Erdogan sacked the head of the central bank.
The 'Badass Chief of Staff' of Turkey's Opposition Faces Years in Jail After Challenging Erdogan's Power. She's Not Backing Down | Joseph Hincks / Istanbul | February 24, 2021 | TimeBetter to use the cell phone network from the Turkish company Turkcell, even if it meant turkey could hear every move they made.
The Women Who Fought to Defend Their Homes Against ISIS | Gayle Tzemach Lemmon | February 22, 2021 | TimeThough turkey tries to tweet-shame America on the Capitol attack, its independent journalists have faced detentions and criminal investigations for reporting on the government’s management of the pandemic.
Save the Sarcasm for Other Democracies. America Is Fine | Debasish Roy Chowdhury | January 11, 2021 | TimeDream center Elizabeth Williams, playing in turkey, took part in a virtual Warnock for Georgia event last month.
WNBA players helped oust Kelly Loeffler from the Senate. Will she last in the league? | Candace Buckner | January 7, 2021 | Washington PostIn turkey, the government’s health ministry said that an interim analysis of late-stage trials showed that the vaccine was 91% effective.
Data delays aren’t slowing the global rollout of a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine | Grady McGregor | January 4, 2021 | Fortune
Meanwhile two kids were taken from their mother when she flew back to the UK from turkey.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis | Nico Hines | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter two nights in detention, he was scheduled to be deported back to turkey on Monday.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn turkey, crime groups in border areas are exploiting the labor of Syrian male refugees who cannot find legitimate employment.
ISIS, Boko Haram, and the Growing Role of Human Trafficking in 21st Century Terrorism | Louise I. Shelley | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe is also head of the Sabancı Foundation, which conducts female-empowerment programs for women in rural turkey.
turkey has had more than a decade of economic boom, and is now the sixth-most-visited tourist destination in the world.
Elderly matrons—and in turkey every lady is an elderly matron in her fortieth year—are passionately devoted to this enjoyment.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.Edmund Chishull, an English traveler, died; author of a book of travels in turkey.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellWe have only to keep our grip firm and fast; turkey will die of exhaustion trying to do what she can't do; drive us into the sea!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian Hamiltonturkey tobacco ranges in color from brown to light yellow, the latter being the most in demand.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.In the meantime he was completely infatuated, and trotted about after Sarah like an old turkey cock.
Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
British Dictionary definitions for turkey (1 of 2)
/ (ˈtɜːkɪ) /
a large gallinaceous bird, Meleagris gallopavo, of North America, having a bare wattled head and neck and a brownish iridescent plumage. The male is brighter and has a fan-shaped tail. A domestic variety is widely bred for its flesh
the flesh of the turkey used as food
a similar and related bird, Agriocharis ocellata (ocellated turkey), of Central and N South America
any of various Australian birds considered to resemble the turkey, such as the bush turkey
slang, mainly US and Canadian
a dramatic production that fails; flop
a thing or person that fails; dud
slang, mainly US and Canadian a stupid, incompetent, or unappealing person
slang (in tenpin bowling) three strikes in a row
See cold turkey
talk turkey informal, mainly US and Canadian to discuss frankly and practically
Origin of turkey
1British Dictionary definitions for Turkey (2 of 2)
/ (ˈtɜːkɪ) /
a republic in W Asia and SE Europe, between the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean: the centre of the Ottoman Empire; became a republic in 1923. The major Asian part, consisting mainly of an arid plateau, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles. Official languages: Turkish; Kurdish and Arabic minority languages. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: lira. Capital: Ankara. Pop: 80 694 485 (2013 est). Area: 780 576 sq km (301 380 sq miles)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for Turkey
Republic straddling southeastern Europe and the Middle East, bordered by the Black Sea to the north, Georgia and Armenia to the northeast, Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to the southeast, the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea to the southwest, and Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest. Ninety-seven percent of the country is in Asia. Ankara is its capital, but Istanbul is its largest city and former imperial capital.
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with turkey
see cold turkey; talk turkey.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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