turnout

Everyday

1. Turnout is the number of people who come to an event, or who vote in an election. tree →
2. (UK, old-fashioned) A turnout can also mean the way someone is dressed. tree →
3. A turnout is a place at the side of a road where cars can pull over (USA). tree →

In the lessons

In news and politics, turnout tells how many voters took part, often as a percentage. In school life it tells how many came to a concert, match or meeting. Phrases: a good turnout, a low turnout, voter turnout, turnout was high.

Examples

• There was a great turnout for the school fair. tree →
• Voter turnout was 67 per cent. tree →
• Despite the rain, the turnout at the match was good. tree →
• Low turnout means many people did not vote. tree →
• We were pleased with the turnout at the bake sale. tree →
• The truck stopped at a turnout on the mountain road. tree →

Note

One word as a noun (turnout); the verb is two words: turn out ("Lots of people turned out"). In maths problems turnout is often a percentage: if 300 of 500 voted, turnout = 300 ÷ 500 = 60%.