turkey

noun

tur·​key ˈtər-kē How to pronounce turkey (audio)
plural turkeys
Synonyms of turkeynext
1
plural also turkey : a large North American gallinaceous bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that is domesticated in most parts of the world
also : its flesh used as food
2
: failure, flop
especially : a theatrical production that has failed
3
: three successive strikes in bowling
4
: a stupid, foolish, or inept person
see also:
talk turkey

Illustration of turkey

Illustration of turkey
  • turkey 1

Synonyms of turkey

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Examples of turkey in a Sentence

He was acting like a complete turkey. only a turkey would think it's a good idea to go for a jog when the weather drops below zero
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She’s loved by her family of humans (the Osteens) and other farm animals (including Elsie the cow; goats Honey, Dolly, Roger, Polly and Dodger; and Tom, the king of the turkeys who stalks around his enclosure like a pharaoh). — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 By Jen Murphy March 25, 2016 These eight harvest celebrations around the world also involve giving thanks—the only difference is there's no turkey. — Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 The beef or turkey burger with green chiles and pepper jack cheese (about $7) is one of the better choices on the menu. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 My soon-to-be-husband, Josh, was explaining that antelope season comes after archery elk season, followed by pheasant season, followed by ducks and geese and chukars, which somehow ends only narrowly before spring turkey. — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turkey

Word History

Etymology

Turkey, country in western Asia and southeastern Europe; from confusion with the guinea fowl, supposed to be imported from Turkish territory

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of turkey was in 1555

Phrases Containing turkey

Rhymes for turkey

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Browse Nearby Words

turken
turkey
Turkey
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Cite this Entry

“Turkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turkey. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

turkey

noun
tur·​key ˈtər-kē How to pronounce turkey (audio)
plural turkeys
1
plural also turkey : a large North American bird that is related to the domestic chicken and is domesticated in most parts of the world
2
: something that is a failure
the new play was a turkey
3
: a stupid or foolish person
Etymology

from turkey-cock, an old word for "guinea fowl," from Turkey, a country in Asia Minor; so called because at one time people thought guinea fowl came from Turkey

Word Origin
The bird we now call the guinea fowl was once called the turkey. Turkey was the shortened version of turkey-cock and turkey-hen. The guinea fowl's original home was in Africa. However, Europeans discovered that it was good to eat and did well in captivity, so they brought it back to Europe. Some people mistakenly thought that the birds came from Turkey, and the name stuck. Later, when English settlers first arrived in America, they found a large bird living here that was also good to eat. They called this new bird turkey because it reminded them of the turkey they were familiar with back in Europe.

Geographical Definition

Turkey

geographical name

Tur·​key ˈtər-kē How to pronounce Turkey (audio)
variants or now officially Türkiye
ˌtᵫr-kē-ˈye How to pronounce Turkey (audio) ˈtər-kē-ˌyā How to pronounce Turkey (audio) ˈtər-kē How to pronounce Turkey (audio)
country in western Asia and southeastern Europe between the Mediterranean and Black seas; capital Ankara area 302,535 square miles (783,562 square kilometers) see ottoman empire

Note: Turkey was formerly the center of an empire whose capital was Constantinople. Since 1923 it has been a republic.

see also:
turk sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on turkey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turkey

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