turnback

Turnback is the act or decision to reverse course and return to a starting point or previous position. The term is used as a noun and, less commonly, as the verb phrase turn back. It appears across fields such as transportation, outdoor activities, and operational planning to describe a reversal of a journey or mission.

In aviation and maritime contexts, a turnback occurs when a flight or vessel returns to its origin or base. It can be prompted by weather conditions, equipment problems, medical or crew issues, or safety concerns. Turnbacks require coordination with air traffic control, airports, or ports and have implications for fuel budgeting, scheduling, and passenger or cargo arrangements.

In rail and public transit, a turnback is a procedure in which a train terminates at a station other than the final terminus and reverses direction on the same line or on a designated track. This helps manage service patterns during disruptions, peak demand, or staffing constraints and may rely on specific track layouts or end-of-train procedures.

In climbing and hiking, a turnback point or turnback decision is the moment at which climbers retreat due to safety concerns such as worsening weather, objective hazards, fatigue, or poor conditions. It is typically guided by pre-established safety criteria and group protocols.

Other uses include general planning and logistics, where a project or route may be reversed or halted and redirected toward an original objective. Related terms include U-turn and turnaround, which describe similar ideas of reversing direction.