noun
Uncommon
turnout
TUR-nowt
Turnout (noun) means the number of people who show up to vote, attend an event, or participate. Example: “Voter turnout was higher than expected this election.”
noun
1
The number of people who show up to vote, attend an event, or participate.
"Voter turnout was higher than expected this election."
"The turnout for the charity run was over two thousand people."
"Heavy rain kept the turnout low at the village football match."
2
A small area at the side of a narrow road where a vehicle can pull off to let others pass.
"He pulled into a turnout to let the truck overtake."
"We stopped in a turnout halfway up the hill to enjoy the view."
"The campervan driver used a turnout so the queue of cars could pass."
3
In dance, the outward rotation of the legs at the hips.
"The ballet teacher corrected her turnout during the exercise."
"Good turnout takes years of practice, and it protects the dancer's knees."
"The teacher asked us to improve our turnout by rotating from the hips, not the feet."
How to use turnout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow many people show up, especially to vote or attend something.
Common pairings
low turnout
election turnout
good turnout
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Word forms
- Plural
- turnouts
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Voter _____ was higher than expected this election.
Etymology
A noun formed from the phrasal verb "turn out", originally describing people or things "turning out" (showing up) somewhere.
Synonyms
View more →
attendance
participation
showing
crowd size
rig
widening
output
outturn
getup
sidetrack
siding
outfit
Related words
Rhymes for turnout
See all rhymes for turnout →Frequently asked questions
What does “turnout” mean?
The word “turnout” means the number of people who show up to vote, attend an event, or participate. In plain terms, how many people show up, especially to vote or attend something.
How do you pronounce “turnout”?
“Turnout” is pronounced TUR-nowt (/ˈtɜː(ɹ)naʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “turnout” in a sentence?
Here is “turnout” used in a sentence: “Voter turnout was higher than expected this election.”
What part of speech is “turnout”?
“Turnout” is a noun.
Is “turnout” a common word?
“Turnout” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “turnout” have?
“Turnout” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the number of people who show up to vote, attend an event, or participate.
What is the difference between turnout and attendance?
Turnout usually refers to the number of people who show up specifically to vote, attend an event, or participate, often with an emphasis on whether that number met expectations. Attendance is a more neutral count of who was present, without the same implication of comparing against a hoped-for or required level.
What does turnout mean in dance?
In dance, turnout refers to the outward rotation of the legs at the hips, a foundational technique used especially in ballet. This is a distinct, technical sense unrelated to voting or traffic.
What does a pull-off area on a road have to do with turnout?
A turnout can also mean a small area at the side of a narrow road where a vehicle can pull off to let others pass. This sense is common on mountain or single-lane roads and is unrelated to the voting or dance meanings.
