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Turn means to rotate in a circle or to change position or reverse. (verb)

An example of to turn is to spin a car wheel.
An example of to turn is to completely change one's view on a situation.

A turn is the act of rotating or a change in movement, direction or thought. (noun)

An example of turn is spinning around in a partial or full circle.
An example of turn is a change from driving straight to going left.

See turn in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make (a wheel, globe, etc.) move about a central point or axis; revolve or rotate to give circular motion to; move around or partly around: to turn a key to do by a revolving motion: to turn a somersaultBaseball to execute (a double play)
to give circular shape to by rotating against a tool, as in a lathe to give rounded shape or form to in any way to give a well-rounded or graceful form to: to turn a pretty phrase
to change the position of, as by a rotating motion: to turn a chair around to revolve in the mind: ponder: often with over
1. to bend, fold, twist, etc.: turn the sheet back
2. to twist or wrench (one's ankle)
to bend back (a cutting edge); blunt to reverse the position or sides of; invert; specif.,
1. to move so that the undersurface is on top and vice versa: to turn a phonograph record
2. to spade, plow, etc. so that the undersoil comes to the surface
3. to reverse (a collar, coat, etc.) so that the inner surface becomes the outer
to cause to become upside down, topsy-turvy, etc. to upset or unsettle (the stomach)
to bend the course of; deflect; divert: to turn a blow to cause to change intentions, actions, etc. [to turn someone from his purpose]; specif.,
1. to convert or persuade
2. to change in feelings, attitudes, etc.: to turn people against someone
to go around (a corner, an army's flank, etc.) to reach or pass (a certain age, amount, etc.) to reverse the course of; specif.,
1. to stop or repel: to turn an attack
2. to cause to recoil, rebound, etc.: criticism turned against the critic
to drive, set, let go, etc. in some way: to turn someone adrift
1. to keep (money, goods, etc.) circulating or moving
2. to earn (a profit), as in a commercial transaction
to change the direction of (one's eyes, face, etc.) to direct, point, aim, etc.: to turn a gun on someone to change the trend, focus, etc. of: to turn one's thoughts to practical matters to put to (a specified) use or result; employ; apply: to turn knowledge to good account, to turn one's hand to writing
to change; convert; transmute: to turn cream into butter, a writer turned actor to exchange for: to turn produce into hard cash to subject: to turn another's remarks to ridicule to translate or paraphrase to derange, dement, distract, or infatuate to make sour to affect in some way: turned sick by the sight to change the color of

intransitive verb

to move in a circle or around an axis; rotate or revolve; pivot to move in a circular manner; move around or partly around: the key won't turn
1. to seem to be whirling or moving, as to one who is dizzy
2. to reel or be giddy: said of the head
to run a lathe to be shaped on a lathe
1. to move in a rotary manner so as to change position
2. to shift or twist the body as if on an axis
to become curved or bent to reverse position so that bottom becomes top; become reversed or inverted to become upset or unsettled: said of the stomach
to change one's or its course so as to be moving, going, etc. in a different direction; deviate to reverse one's or its course; start to move, go, etc. in the opposite direction: the tide has turned to consult; refer (to) to go or apply (to) for help
to change one's or its direction; face about; shift to direct or shift one's attention, abilities, thoughts, etc.: to turn from one's work to a hobby to make a sudden attack (on or upon): the dog turned on him to reverse one's feelings, attitude, allegiance, etc.: to turn against former friends to be contingent or depend (on or upon)Obsolete to vacillate
to enter into a specified condition; become: to turn bitter with age to change into another form, type, or sort: the rain turned to sleet to become rancid, putrid, sour, etc. to change color: leaves turning in the fall

noun

the act of turning around; complete or partial rotation, as of a wheel; revolution
1. a winding of one thing around another
2. a single twist, coil, winding, etc.; convolution
1. the condition of being twisted, bent, etc. in a circular form
2. the direction of this
a musical ornament consisting usually of four tones, the second and fourth of which are the same, or principal, tone, the first, normally, being a degree above, and the third a degree below
a change of position or posture, as by rotating motion a change or reversal of course or direction: the turn of the tide
1. a walk taken about a building, area, etc., as for inspection; tour
2. a short walk or ride, returning to the starting place, as for exercise
the place where a change in direction occurs; bend; curveGolf the midway point of a round, usually after the ninth hole
1. a change in trend, circumstances, events, policy, health, etc.: a turn for the better
2. turning point
the time of a chronological change: at the turn of the century a sudden, brief shock or fright; start
an action that harms or, more usually, benefits another: to do someone a good turn a bout; spell; try: a turn at gardening an attack of illness, dizziness, rage, etc.; fit the right, duty, or opportunity to do something, esp. as coming to each of a number of people in regular order: one's turn at batBrit. a shift of work
1. a short performance given as part of a variety show; act
2. its performer or performers
☆ Finance a transaction on the stock exchange involving both purchase and sale of particular securities
a distinctive form, manner, cast, detail, etc.: a quaint turn to her speech natural inclination or aptitude; flair: an inquisitive turn of mind a tendency; drift; trend: the discussion took a new turn a variation or interpretation of the original: to give an old story a new turn

See turn in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(tûrn)

verb turned, turn·ing, turns

verb, transitive

To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve.
To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening: turn the key; turn a screw.
To alter or control the functioning of (a mechanical device, for example) by the use of a rotating or similar movement: turned the iron to a hotter setting.
To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving: turn a somersault.
a. To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side: turn the steak; turn a page.
b. To spade or plow (soil) to bring the undersoil to the surface.
c. To reverse and resew the material of (a collar, for example).
To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder.
a. To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
b. To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
c. To give a rounded form to: turn a heel in knitting a sock.
d. To give distinctive, artistic, or graceful form to: “They know precisely how to turn a dramatic line or phrase that is guaranteed to make the evening news” (William Safire).
a. To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot: turned his chair toward the speaker.
b. To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting: turn one's face to the wall.
c. To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight: Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
a. To fold, bend, or twist (something).
b. To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting: Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
c. To make a bend or curve in: strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
d. To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
e. To injure by twisting: turn an ankle.
f. To upset or make nauseated: That story turns my stomach.
To change the direction or course of: turn the car to the left.
a. To divert or deflect: turn a stampede.
b. To reverse the course of; cause to retreat: “Then turn your forces from this paltry siege/And stir them up against a mightier task” (Shakespeare).
To make a course around or about: turn a corner.
To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence: Her speech turned my thinking.
To change the order or disposition of; unsettle: “Sudden prosperity had turned [his] head” (Thomas Macaulay).
a. To aim or focus: turn one's gaze to the sky; turned the camera on the speaker.
b. To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something: She turned herself to law.
To cause to act or go against; make antagonistic: The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate.
To cause to go in a specific direction; direct: They turned their steps toward home.
To send, drive, or let go: turn the bully out of the bar; turned the dog loose.
To pour, let fall, or otherwise release (contents) from or into a receptacle: Turn the dough onto a floured board.
To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into: water that had been turned to ice; turn a rundown house into a show place.
21. To make sour; ferment: Lack of refrigeration turned the milk.
22. To affect or change the color of: Autumn turns the green leaves golden.
23. To exchange; convert. Used with to or into: turns her singing talent into extra money.
24. To keep in circulation; sell and restock: We turned a great deal of merchandise during the holidays.
25.
a. To make use of: turned the situation to our advantage.
b. To get by buying and selling: turn a fair profit.
26. To perform successfully; complete: turn a double play.
27. Slang To perform (an act of prostitution): turning tricks.

verb, intransitive

To move around an axis or center; rotate or revolve.
To have a sensation of revolving or whirling, especially as a result of dizziness or giddiness.
To change position from side to side or back and forth: I tossed and turned all night.
To progress through pages so as to arrive at a given place: Please turn to page 31.
a. To operate a lathe.
b. To be formed on a lathe: a softwood that turns easily.
To direct one's way or course: The truck turned into the gas station. Turn off the highway at the next exit.
To change or reverse one's way, course, or direction: Too tired to go farther, we turned toward home.
To have a specific reaction or effect, especially when adverse.
To change one's actions or attitudes adversely; become hostile or antagonistic: The peasants turned against the cruel king.
To attack suddenly and violently with no apparent motive: The lion turned on the animal trainer.
To channel one's attention, interest, or thought toward or away from something: “In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love” (Tennyson).
To devote or apply oneself to something, as to a field of study: Unsuccessful in math, the student turned to biology.
To convert to a religion.
To switch one's loyalty from one side or party to another.
To have recourse to a person or thing for help, support, or information.
To depend on something for success or failure; hinge: “The election would turn not on ideology but on competence” (George F. Will).
a. To change so as to be; become: His hair turned gray. I am a lawyer turned novelist.
b. To change; become transformed. Used with to or into: The sky turned to pink at dawn. The night turned into day.
c. To reach and pass (a certain age, for example): My niece has turned two.
To become sour: The milk will turn if you don't refrigerate it.
To change color: The leaves have turned.
To be stocked and sold: This merchandise will turn easily.
21. To become dull or blunt by bending back. Used of the edge of a cutting instrument.

noun

The act of turning or the condition of being turned; rotation or revolution.
A change of direction, motion, or position: Make a left turn at the corner.
A place, as in a road or path, where a change in direction occurs; a curve: a sharp turn in the road.
A departure or deviation, as in a trend: a strange turn of events.
A point marking the end of one period of time and the beginning of the next: the turn of the century.
a. A chance or opportunity.
b. One of a series of such opportunities accorded people in succession or in scheduled order: waiting for her next turn at bat.
A period of participation: a turn at wrestling.
a. An attack of illness or severe nervousness.
b. Informal A momentary shock or scare: I had quite a turn when I heard the crash.
A characteristic mood, style, or habit; a natural inclination: an inquisitive turn of mind.
A propensity or adeptness: She has a turn for carpentry.
A distinctive, graceful, or artistic expression or arrangement of words: the poetic turn of a phrase.
a. A movement or development in a particular direction: a turn for the worse.
b. A variation of a given kind or type: “His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn” (Albert C. Baugh).
A deed or action having a good or bad effect on another: “He thought some friend had done him an ill turn” (Stephen Crane).
Advantage or purpose: It served his turn.
A short walk or excursion out and back: took a turn in the park.
A distortion in shape.
The condition of being twisted or wound.
a. A winding of one thing about another.
b. A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
Something that winds or turns around a center axis.
Music A figure or ornament, usually consisting of four or more notes in rapid succession and including the principal note, the one a degree above it, and the one a degree below it.
21. A brief theatrical act or stage appearance.
22. A transaction on the stock market involving both a sale and a purchase.
23. South Atlantic U.S. The amount that can be carried in the arms in one load: a turn of firewood.

Phrasal Verbs: turn away To send away; dismiss: turned away the clerk. To repel: The poor location of the house turned away prospective buyers. To avert; deflect: turned away all criticism. turn back To reverse one's direction of motion: stopped on the road and had to turn back. To drive back and away: turned back the uninvited comers. To halt the advance of: turned back the advancing army. To fold down: Turn back the page's corner to save your place in the book. turn down To diminish the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn down the radio, please. To reject or refuse, as a person, advice, or a suggestion: turned down the invitation. To fold or be capable of folding down: turn a collar down; a collar that turns down. turn in To hand in; give over: turned in the final exam. To inform on or deliver: The criminal turned herself in. To produce: turns in a consistent performance every day. Informal To go to bed: I turned in early last night. turn off To stop the operation, activity, or flow of; shut off: turned off the television. Slang

a. To affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion: That song really turns me off.

b. To affect with boredom: The play turned the audience off.

c. To lose or cause to lose interest; withdraw: turning off to materialism.

d. To cease paying attention to: The student turned off the boring lecture and daydreamed.

To divert; deflect. Chiefly British To dismiss (an employee). turn on To cause to begin the operation, activity, or flow of: Turn on the light bulb. To begin to display, employ, or exude: turn on the charm. Slang

a. To take or cause to take a mind-altering drug, especially for the first time.

b. To be or cause to become interested, pleasurably excited, or stimulated. Often used with to: My aunt turned me on to jazz. She turned on to surfing this summer.

c. To excite or become excited sexually.

turn out To shut off: turned out the lights. To arrive or assemble, as for a public event or entertainment: Many protesters have turned out. To produce, as by a manufacturing process; make: an assembly line turning out cars. To be found to be, as after experience or trial: The rookie turned out to be the team's best hitter. To end up; result: The cake turned out beautifully. To equip; outfit: troops that were turned out lavishly Informal To get out of bed. To evict; expel: The tenants were turned out. turn over To bring the bottom to the top or vice versa; invert.

a. To shift the position of, as by rolling from one side to the other.

b. To shift one's position by rolling from one side to the other.

To rotate; cycle: The engine turned over but wouldn't start. To think about; consider: turned over the problem in her mind. To transfer to another; surrender: turned over the illegal funds. Sports To lose possession of (the ball). To do business to the extent or amount of: turn over a million dollars a year. To seem to lurch or heave convulsively: My stomach turned over. turn to To begin work: If you quit dawdling and just turn to, your chores will be done soon. turn up To increase the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn up the radio.

a. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.

b. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.

To make an appearance; arrive: Many old friends turned up at the reunion. To fold or be capable of folding up: turning up his cuffs; cuffs that will turn up. To happen unexpectedly: Something turned up, so I couldn't go. To be evident: a sculptor whose name turns up in the art circles.

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