Turnout

Definition

Turnout generally refers to the number of people who participate in a particular event or activity, especially voters in an election.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɜrnˌaʊt/
• Respelling: TUR-nout (with "TUR" as in "fur" and "nout" rhyming with "out")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɜːnaʊt/
• Respelling: TUR-nout (similar to American English, with "TUR" as in "fur" and "nout" like in "out")

In both dialects, "turnout" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable, "TUR." The word begins with "TUR," similar to the 'ur' in "fur," followed by "nout," which rhymes with words like "out" and "shout." The pronunciation of "turnout" is consistent between American and British English.

Etymology

The term "turnout" is derived from the phrasal verb "turn out." In English, "turn" comes from Old English "tyrnan," and "out" from Old English "ūt." The combined usage to indicate "attendance" or "appearance" has been recorded since the 1680s.

Derivatives

• Turned-out (adjective)
• Turnout gear (noun)
• High-turnout (adjective)
• Low-turnout (adjective)
• Voter turnout (noun)

Synonyms

• Attendance
• Participation
• Appearance

Antonyms

• Absence
• Non-attendance
• No-show

Usage

• "The voter turnout for the recent election was surprisingly high."
• "The event had a good turnout despite the rainy weather."

Related Terms

• Audience
• Crowd
• Electorate
• Gathering
• Assembly

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Participation in an Event: The number of people present or participating in an event, especially the number of people voting in an election.
• Example: The city council was pleased with the turnout for the town hall meeting.

• Place of Egress: A place where a road becomes wider or where vehicles can stop or park, especially on a highway.
• Example: Pull over at the next turnout to let the faster cars pass.

• Clothing or Equipment: The way someone dresses, especially the uniform and equipment used by firefighters.
• Example: The firefighters grabbed their turnout gear and rushed to the scene.

Verb (turn out)

• To Arrive or Appear: To attend or appear for a public gathering or event.
• Example: More people turned out for the concert than was expected.

• To Result or End Up: To prove to be the case in the end; to result in a particular way.
• Example: It turns out she was right all along about the weather forecast.