turkey

noun tur·key \ˈtər-kē\

: a large American bird that is related to the chicken and that is hunted or raised by people for its meat

: the meat of the turkey used as food

: something (such as a play or movie) that has failed

plural turkeys

Full Definition of TURKEY

plural also turkey : a large North American gallinaceous bird (Meleagris gallopavo) that is domesticated in most parts of the world

: failure, flop; especially : a theatrical production that has failed

: three successive strikes in bowling

: a stupid, foolish, or inept person

See turkey defined for English-language learners

See turkey defined for kids

Illustration of TURKEY

Origin of TURKEY

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

Related to TURKEY

Synonyms: berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], cuckoo, ding-a-ling, dingbat, ding-dong, dipstick, doofus [slang], featherhead, git [British], goose, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, fool, yo-yo

Antonyms: brain, genius

Other General Sports Terms

kegler, mulligan, rappel

Rhymes with TURKEY

jerky, murky, perky, smirky, Turkey

Turkey

geographical name Tur·key \ˈtər-kē\

Definition of TURKEY

country W Asia & SE Europe between Mediterranean & Black seas; formerly center of an empire (∗ Constantinople), since 1923 a republic ∗ Ankara area 301,380 square miles (780,574 square kilometers), pop 73,085,000 — see ottoman empire

Rhymes with TURKEY

jerky, murky, perky, smirky, turkey

TURKEY Defined for Kids

turkey

noun tur·key \ˈtər-kē\

plural turkeys

Definition of TURKEY for Kids

: a large North American bird related to the chicken and widely raised for food

Word History of TURKEY

The plump, chicken-like birds called guinea fowl are of African origin. However, they were introduced into Europe from Mediterranean lands controlled by Turkey, so that in English they were frequently called turkey-cocks or turkey-hens in the 1500s. When the North American birds that we call turkeys entered Europe, they were at first thought to be varieties of guinea fowl and so were also called turkey-cocks, later shortened to turkeys. This name fell out of use for guinea fowl—whose current name more accurately reflects their origin, since Guinea is an old name for West Africa—but it has been kept for the American bird.