turkey
turkey Lexical Profile
turkey Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, heavy-bodied gallinaceous bird of the genus Meleagris native to North America, characterized by dark plumage, a bare wattled head and neck, and a distinctive fan-shaped tail in males; widely domesticated for poultry.
"A wild turkey strutted across the forest clearing, fanning its tail feathers in display."
The flesh of the domesticated turkey used as food, especially roasted as the traditional centerpiece meal for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"She carved the roast turkey and served it alongside cranberry sauce and stuffing."
A transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
A sequence of three consecutive strikes in a single game of bowling.
"He bowled a turkey in the final frames to take the lead and win the tournament."
North American Something that is extremely unsuccessful or disappointing, especially a theatrical production or film that fails critically and commercially, or a foolish, inept person.
"Despite its massive budget and famous cast, the summer blockbuster turned out to be a complete turkey at the box office."
• Rhymes for turkey
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The bird's name originated in 16th-century England as short for 'turkey cock' or 'turkey hen', initially applied to the helmeted guineafowl imported from Africa via the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), and later transferred by European colonists to the large native North American bird due to visual similarity.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.