turnout
Americannoun
-
the gathering of persons who come to an exhibition, party, spectacle, or the like.
They had a large turnout at the meeting.
-
quantity of production; output.
-
an act of turning out.
-
the manner or style in which a person or thing is equipped, dressed, etc.
-
equipment; outfit.
-
a short side track, space, spur, etc., that enables trains, automobiles, etc., to pass one another or park.
-
Ballet. the turning out of the legs from the hips, with the feet back to back or heel to heel.
-
Railroads. a track structure composed of a switch, a frog, and closure rails, permitting a train to leave a given track for a branching or parallel track.
Etymology
Origin of turnout
First recorded in 1680–90; noun use of verb phrase turn out
Explanation
Turnout means the total number of people who show up to vote or gather for an event. The success of democratic elections depends on voter turnout — how many people actually get out and vote. Voter turnout is crucial in an election, but turnout is not always about politics. When ballet dancers talk about turnout, they're referring to their ability to rotate their legs outward from the hips down to the toes. A turnout is also a place in the road where cars can turn around.
Vocabulary lists containing turnout
"Stone Fox" by John Reynolds Gardiner
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
U.S. Government - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Dance - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
There have been significant turnout disparities between its wards, with the lowest turnout in recent elections in wards with the highest levels of housing instability and poverty.
From Slate • May 26, 2026
Police chief Dragan Vasiljevic told a news conference the force estimated the turnout at 34,000.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
Tallies from a handful of counties showed varying early turnout so far.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
In the last mayoral election in 2022, voter turnout increased across all demographic groups, but the share of Latino voters stayed the same.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
He missed the easy if largely wordless comradeship he’d had with gruff, sardonic old Roger Morris right from the first day of freshman turnout.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
