turnstile

noun

turn·​stile ˈtərn-ˌstī(-ə)l 

: a post with arms pivoted on the top set in a passageway so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one

Examples of turnstile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the first pitch of a game on April 11, when fans were still passing through the turnstiles, Neto tapped his helmet. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Video shows the cop grab Suarez by his jacket and haul him up the steps to the mezzanine, before pushing him out an emergency exit door by the turnstiles, court documents show. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

Most need the right coach, the right system, the right timeline and, ideally, if your name is Fernando Mendoza, an offensive line that doesn’t function like a turnstile. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026

Every second, more than 2,000 of them pass through the pentagonal turnstiles. —Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for turnstile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

turnstile

noun

turn·​stile -ˌstīl 

: a post having arms which turn around that is set in an entrance or exit so that persons can pass through only on foot one by one