turnaround

American  

[turn-uh-round] / ˈtɜrn əˌraʊnd /

noun

turnarounds plural

1. the total time consumed in the round trip of a ship, aircraft, vehicle, etc.

2. turnabout.

3. change of allegiance, opinion, mood, policy, etc.

4. a place or area having sufficient room for a vehicle to turn around.

5. the time required between receiving and finishing or processing work or materials.

6. Commerce.

   1. a reversal, as in business sales, especially from loss to profit.

   2. the time between the making of an investment and receiving a return.

7. Aviation. the elapsed time between an aircraft's arrival at an airfield terminal and its departure.

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turnaround British  

/ ˈtɜːnəˌraʊnd /

noun

1. 1. the act or process in which a ship, aircraft, etc, unloads passengers and freight at the end of a trip and reloads for the next trip

   2. the time taken for this

2. the total time taken by a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in a round trip

3. a complete reversal of a situation or set of circumstances

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• turnarounds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turnaround

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase turn around

Example Sentences

This month’s turnaround has been so dramatic that even the preternaturally upbeat Floridian was unprepared for her success.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

Our customer service turnaround strategy, underpinned by significant investment, has been transformational.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

It’s all a turnaround from last year and from the first quarter of 2026, when investors were pulling back from U.S.-stock funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

Nike’s stock has fallen more than 35% so far this year, as Wall Street grows more worried about the progress of turnaround efforts under Hill.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

He’s been up for hours and hours, counting the drive down to get me and the quick turnaround.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Related Words

• U-turn
• turnabout