turret

[tur-it, tuhr-]

noun

1. a small tower, usually one forming part of a larger structure.

2. a small tower at an angle of a building, as of a castle or fortress, frequently beginning some distance above the ground.

3. Also called turrethead. a pivoted attachment on a lathe or the like for holding a number of tools, each of which can be presented to the work in rapid succession by a simple rotating movement.

4. Military.,  a domelike, sometimes heavily armored structure, usually revolving horizontally, within which guns are mounted, as on a fortification, ship, or aircraft.

5. Fortification.,  a tall structure, usually moved on wheels, formerly employed in breaching or scaling a fortified place, a wall, or the like.

turret

/ ˈtʌrɪt /

noun

1. a small tower that projects from the wall of a building, esp a medieval castle

2. 1. a self-contained structure, capable of rotation, in which weapons are mounted, esp in tanks and warships

   2. a similar structure on an aircraft that houses one or more guns and sometimes a gunner

3. a tall wooden tower on wheels used formerly by besiegers to scale the walls of a fortress

4. (on a machine tool) a turret-like steel structure with tools projecting radially that can be indexed round to select or to bring each tool to bear on the work

Other Word Forms

• turretless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of turret¹

1300–50; Middle English turet < Middle French turete, equivalent to tur tower ¹ + -ete -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of turret¹

C14: from Old French torete , from tor tower, from Latin turris

Example Sentences

Since then, vital sections of the Monitor, most notably its revolving turret, have been brought to the surface.

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Complete with a turret and a wraparound balcony, it has been used as a hunting lodge and a place to take afternoon tea.

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Behind this door is a 35-tonne rotating concrete turret, which the bank says "prevents any possibility of forced entry".

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In the turret, when plotting over who to murder next, he quipped: "I've got a taste for it now," following his earlier murder of singer Paloma Faith.

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He heads to Cape Cod in Massachusetts, where he checks into a storied Victorian B&B featuring turrets, a wrap-around porch and, conveniently, a hot ghost.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• minaret 
• spire 
• steeple