turf

UK: /ˈtɜː^rf/ US: /tɝf/ ,(tûrf )

Inflections of 'turf' (n):

turfs

npl

turves

npl

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

turf /tɜrf/   n., pl. turfs, (esp. Brit.) turves/tɜrvz/ ;
 v. 
n. 

1. • Botany [uncountable] a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
   • British Terms [countable] [Chiefly Brit.] a piece cut from this;
     sod.
2. [uncountable] peat, esp. as material for fuel.
3. Sport the turf, [countable* usually singular]
   • the track over which horse races are run.
   • the sport of racing horses.
4. Slang Terms [uncountable]
   • the neighborhood over which a street gang claims authority.
   • a familiar area, as of residence or expertise:
     Chicago is his turf. Her turf was British literature.

v. [~ + object]

5. to cover with turf or sod.
6. British Terms, Slang Terms to remove from a desirable position;
   expel;
   kick out.

turf•y, adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

turf  (tûrf ), n., pl. turfs, ([esp. Brit.] ) turves;
 v. 
n. 

1. Botany a layer of matted earth formed by grass and plant roots.
2. peat, esp. as material for fuel.
3. British Terms a block or piece of peat dug for fuel.
4. [Slang.]
   • the neighborhood over which a street gang asserts its authority.
   • a familiar area, as of residence or expertise:
     Denver is her turf. When you talk literature you're getting into my turf.
5. Slang Terms [Chiefly Brit.] a piece cut or torn from the surface of grassland;
   sod.
6. Sport the turf:
   • the track over which horse races are run.
   • the practice or sport of racing horses.

v.t. 
7. to cover with turf or sod.
8. British Terms to remove from a desirable office or position;
   expel;
   kick out:
   He was turfed from leadership of the group.
• Low German), Old Norse torf, akin to Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass. See turbary
• bef. 900; 1930–35 for def. 5; Middle English, Old English, cognate with Dutch turf, German Torf (
turf′less, adj. 
turf′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

turf / tɜːf/ noun (turfs, turves / tɜːvz/)

1. the surface layer of fields and pastures, consisting of earth containing a dense growth of grasses with their roots; sod
2. a piece cut from this layer, used to form lawns, verges, etc
3. the turf ⇒ a track, usually of grass or dirt, where horse races are run
4. horse racing as a sport or industry
5. an area of knowledge or influence: he's on home turf when it comes to music
6. another term for peat1

verb

1. (transitive) to cover with pieces of turf

Etymology: Old English; related to Old Norse torfa, Old High German zurba, Sanskrit darbha tuft of grass