noun

turnout

/ˈtɜːrnaʊt/ · say it: TER·nowt

the number of people who vote

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (noun) the number or percentage of people who participate in something, especially voting in an election

2. (noun) a place where a road widens so vehicles can stop or pass each other safely

3. (noun) the way someone is dressed or equipped; appearance or outfit

Examples

1. The election had a high turnout of 75 percent.
2. We pulled into a turnout on the highway to take a rest.
3. The actor's glamorous turnout impressed everyone at the premiere.

How to use turnout

Turnout most commonly refers to the proportion or number of people participating in an event, particularly voting. It can also describe a roadside pull-off or stopping area, especially in British English. Less commonly, it means someone's overall appearance or outfit, though this sense is somewhat dated. The word is neutral and widely used in political, statistical, and travel contexts.

Common phrases

voter turnout
high turnout
low turnout
election turnout
turnout at the polls
record turnout

Synonyms

attendance · participation · voter participation · appearance · outfit

Opposites

absenteeism

Word family

turn out

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse turnout (the number of people who participated) with turnover (the number of people who changed or left a position, or total sales revenue). These are distinct concepts with different applications.

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