Synonyms

turn of the century

Idioms

The beginning or end of a particular century, as in That idiom dates from the turn of the century, that is to say, about 1900. This expression was first recorded in 1926.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By the turn of the century, Shanxi's coal industry was making enormous profits because demand was soaring - but there was a human cost.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Waves of xenophobia had swept the nation at the turn of the century following a massive surge of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.

From Salon • May 26, 2026

In all, 16 members have died in office this decade, more than in any three consecutive Congresses since the turn of the century.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

Rebooting those series represents the "cultural centrality to television that was made before the turn of the century and even into the new century," Thompson said.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

At the turn of the century, two British physicists tried to use the wiggle theory to solve a simple problem.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023