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

Our family was formed largely by the 1926 “Hollywood Eclectic” house, with its steep pitched roof and turret, that we occupied on a scenic mountainside street in Mt.

From Los Angeles Times

The turret opened and he was told by another officer to get down for his own safety.

From BBC

The turret of a tank, exploding in a ball of flame.

From BBC

Footage reviewed by The Times shows a person in the turret of the vehicle pointing what appears to be a less-lethal projectile launcher downward, but it’s unclear whether any shots were fired.

From Los Angeles Times

The neighbour also told investigators that Mr Stafford had discussed fortifying the property with a turret for a 50-calibre firearm on the roof.

From BBC

Related Words

• minaret 
• spire 
• steeple