Turns

A turn is a term used in several overlapping domains to denote either a unit of rotation or a period in which a person or thing acts. In mathematics and common usage, a turn can describe a 360-degree rotation, though in everyday speech it often emphasizes the act of taking part in a sequence rather than the exact angular measure.

In games, sports, debates, and conversational settings, a turn denotes the time allotted to a participant to perform an action, respond, or contribute. Turn order determines who acts first and how opportunities are distributed; rules often require passing to the next participant after the allotted time or action is completed.

In manufacturing and engineering, turning describes a machining process, usually performed on a lathe, in which a rotating workpiece is shaped by a stationary cutting tool. A single pass or cut can be called a turn, and the term can also describe the amount of material removed during that operation.

In navigation and surveying, turning refers to a change in direction or a maneuver, such as turning left or right. In architecture and the humanities, turns can describe narrative or rhetorical shifts—moments when the focus or direction of a discourse changes.

Related terms include rotation (a complete angular displacement), revolution (a complete turn around an axis, or a political movement), and turn-taking (the social practice of alternating participation). The concept of turns thus spans physical motion, structured interaction, and procedural workflows.