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 tur·ret·head [tur, -it-hed, tuhr, -]. 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 Words From

• turret·less 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

The vehicles, which are also referred to as "Frankenstein trucks" because of the modifications made to them - such as adding gun turrets and armoured plates - were seized by the security forces.

From BBC

He couldn’t find one of those, but he did see the turrets of a castle peeking out above the trees up ahead.

From Literature

It had a turret on one side, and Sara wondered if it might technically be a castle.

From Literature

Students at Stadium can study tucked away in actual castle turrets, the light filtering through windows tinted by stained-glass panels crafted by former students.

From Seattle Times

The pool, on the hotel’s 14th floor, is “an architectural marvel complete with spectator seating and turrets” decorated with Spanish Majolica tiles, said Christopher Cawley, the hotel’s general manager.

From New York Times

Related Words

• minaret
• spire
• steeple