turnstile

American  

[turn-stahyl] / ˈtɜrnˌstaɪl /

noun

turnstiles plural

1. a structure of four horizontally revolving arms pivoted atop a post and set in a gateway or opening in a fence to allow the controlled passage of people.

2. a similar device set up in an entrance to bar passage until a charge is paid, to record the number of persons passing through, etc.

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turnstile British  

/ ˈtɜːnˌstaɪl /

noun

1. a mechanical gate or barrier with metal arms that are turned to admit one person at a time, usually in one direction only

2. any similar device that admits foot passengers but no large animals or vehicles

3. Also called: gatepost.  logic a symbol of the form ̃⊢, ⊨, or ⊩, used to represent logical consequence when inserted between expressions to form a sequent, or when prefixed to a single expression to indicate its status as a theorem

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• turnstiles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turnstile

First recorded in 1635–45; turn + stile ¹

Explanation

A gate that only lets one person at a time pass through is a turnstile. After you swipe your subway card, you can move through the turnstile into the station. Turnstiles are used to control and restrict people who are entering an area like a train station or office building. Many turnstiles are used in places where an entry fee is required. Two people can't fit through a turnstile at once, so they are also used to keep an accurate count of how many people pass through. The earliest turnstiles were used by shepherds, allowing them to exit a pen while keeping sheep inside.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turnstile turnstiles

On the Grand Pier, they know a £2 turnstile and 2p amusements can still be too much for some.

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

A transit porter and motorman with the New York City subway in the 1980s, Mr. Naiden was active in a tiny communist cell within the union, endorsing free fares and encouraging turnstile hopping.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

They managed to enter the main turnstile door to access the lobby but did not pass security gates that bar access to other parts of the building.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

It closes a chapter on a very specific New York experience — the practiced wrist flick, the second swipe after a buzzer, the quiet victory when the turnstile finally unlocked.

From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2025

Robbie smiled as Sierra came out through the turnstile.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Visitors walking through Dollywood’s turnstiles often come with an appreciation for Parton.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has confirmed that the MetroCard is being phased out at the end of this year in favor of OMNY, the tap-to-pay system that now dominates turnstiles across the city.

From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2025

"I think we need to remember that we've had 130,000 people through the turnstiles... so notwithstanding a disappointing on-field result, I think from a tournament perspective all the indicators have been really strong," he added.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2025

The Timberwolves ran through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves like free-swinging turnstiles, and ran 40-year-old LeBron James off because of too many minutes.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2025

He forgot about Esperanza, about Javier, about anything other than the brightness beyond the turnstiles of the station.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro

Related Words

• bar
• door
• doorway
• exit
• fence
• port