turnout

American  

[turn-out] / ˈtɜrnˌaʊt /

noun

1. the gathering of persons who come to an exhibition, party, spectacle, or the like.

   They had a large turnout at the meeting.

2. quantity of production; output.

3. an act of turning out.

4. the manner or style in which a person or thing is equipped, dressed, etc.

5. equipment; outfit.

6. a short side track, space, spur, etc., that enables trains, automobiles, etc., to pass one another or park.

7. Ballet. the turning out of the legs from the hips, with the feet back to back or heel to heel.

8. 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.

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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.

Example Sentences

With 41 rallies planned, turnout could rival or exceed previous protests, which have drawn millions nationwide and tens of thousands of participants in downtown Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Most recently, Latino voter turnout surged to record levels in the March Democratic primary in Texas.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

Overall turnout for the first round stood at 57 percent -- the country's lowest in local polls bar the Covid pandemic-affected last edition in 2020.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

There is no minimum turnout for this kind of referendum - the camp with the most ballots over two days of voting wins.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

It’s a pretty good turnout, especially since this search party came together last minute.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

Related Words

• output
• productivity
• turnover
• volume
• yield