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Definition of turnstile

turnstile

/ˈtɜːrn.staɪl/
turn · stile
Plural:turnstiles
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turnstile Lexical Profile

turnstile Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mechanical gate consisting of revolving horizontal arms fixed to a vertical post, designed to allow only one person to pass at a time.

Example

"Commuters quickly swiped their transit cards to pass through the turnstile and catch the morning train."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for turnstile

• Nearby Words

turnout
turnover
turnpike
turnstile
turnstone
turntable
turnup

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the 1620s, formed by combining 'turn' and 'stile'. Originally, it referred to a rotating wooden cross-bar set on a post in a fence, designed to let humans pass while keeping livestock contained.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Turnstile. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/turnstile
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