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

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

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

Despite the advancements in technology, the turnstile operation itself, however, has largely remained the same.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2025

Michael added: "We're always looking for turnstile staff, so it became one of those things... it has always been part of our lives and really good fun."

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2025

I pushed through the turnstile to get away from them.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

She had set up folding chair next to the turnstiles with her mother and grandmother -- their beds for the next hours.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Such a prolonged closure will send the more than 400,000 people who pour through the center’s turnstiles each year scrambling to find other places to swim, dive, play water polo and aqua-aerobicize.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

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

We reached the bottom of the steps and shuffled toward the turnstiles.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

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