turnback noun6 •The act of turning back a boat containing immigrants. •[before a noun] Part of a garment that is turned back. •A place, e.g. on a railway, where vehicles can reverse direction, i.e. turn back.Removal of one set of train turnbacks also makes more efficient use of infrastructure and reduces peak loads at interchange stations. — 2023 •The turning back of a weaver around another element.Most basketmakers make their turnbacks in a particular section of the weaving on the sides or in the middle of the basket. — 1991 •(US) A cadet at a military academy who fails a class and has to retake it. •The strap from the hames to the hip-strap, on a horse. formsturnbacks