What does turning mean?
Turning is the present participle and gerund of turn, the verb describing a change in direction, rotation, or transformation. In everyday use, it can refer to a person or vehicle changing direction, as in “turning left,” or to something rotating, such as a turning wheel. It also means transforming or developing in a new way: a discussion may be turning toward agreement, or a material may be turning brittle. Turning frequently appears in fixed expressions, especially turning point, a moment of decisive change, and turning radius, the space needed for a vehicle to make a turn. The word can carry a neutral, practical meaning, but it may also suggest progression, transition, or an unexpected shift in direction. As a noun, turning refers more generally to the action or process of turning and is less common than the participial use.
Changing direction, rotating, or transforming something; becoming or developing in a new direction.
"The plane began turning toward the runway."
This is the present participle of turn and is normally used for an action or change in progress.
The action or process of changing direction, rotating, or transforming something.
"The smooth turning of the wheel drew my attention."
The noun use is less frequent than the participial use and is often uncountable.
Denoting a point, radius, or other feature involving rotation or a change of direction.
"The turning point of the debate came when the new evidence was presented."
This use is especially established in compounds such as turning point, turning radius, and turning circle.
The plural is uncommon and is used for separate acts or processes of turning.
"The machine makes several precise turnings during each cycle."
A single word can make a road curve, a wheel rotate, and a story change direction: turning is the hinge between what came before and what comes next.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does turning come from?
The English verb turn developed from Old English turnian, associated with Latin tornare, meaning “to turn.” The Latin word also contributed to related English forms such as tour and tournament, while return was formed with the prefix re- and the Germanic base. The gerund turning developed as the verbal form naming the action or process of turning and became common in compounds such as turning point.
Related word forms
How turning is actually used
As the present participle of turn, turning is extremely common and often describes an action in progress. As a noun, it is usually used in specialized or literary contexts and may be uncountable; the plural turnings is uncommon. The adjective-like use is especially common in established expressions such as turning point and turning radius.