the turnout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the turnout" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the number of people who attend an event, such as a meeting, election, or gathering. Example: "The turnout for the concert was much higher than expected, with thousands of fans showing up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

One is the turnout.

The Economist

The turnout, nationwide?

The New Yorker

How was the turnout?

The New York Times

The turnout was unclear, however.

The New York Times

The turnout was around 90%.

The Economist

The turnout was only 37%.

The Economist

And the turnout?

The New York Times

The turnout surprised them.

The Guardian

The turnout was 37.19%.

The Guardian

"That explains the turnout.

The New York Times

The turnout was extraordinary.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing elections or referendums, use “the turnout” to specifically refer to the percentage or number of eligible voters who participated. This is a widely understood and accepted term in political contexts.

Common error

Avoid using “turnout” when you mean “turnover”. “Turnout” refers to attendance or participation, while “turnover” refers to the rate at which employees leave a company or items are sold. For example, don't say "The employee turnout was high"; instead, say "The employee "turnover" was high".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the turnout" functions primarily as a noun phrase referring to the number of people who attend or participate in an event. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from elections to community meetings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

BBC

3%

Less common in

Forbes

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the turnout" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the number of people attending an event or participating in an activity. As shown by Ludwig, it's especially prevalent in news and media contexts when reporting on elections or public gatherings. While the phrase is typically neutral in register, it's important to distinguish it from similar-sounding words like "turnover" to avoid confusion. By using "the turnout" appropriately, you can effectively communicate the level of participation and its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attendance rate

Focuses specifically on the proportion of people attending an event or meeting.

rate of participation

Highlights the relative measure of involvement.

participation level

Emphasizes the degree to which people are actively involved.

level of participation

Highlights the extent of involvement in an activity or event.

number of attendees

A more direct way of specifying the count of people present.

number of participants

A straightforward way to express the quantity of individuals taking part.

voter participation

Specifically refers to the percentage of eligible voters who cast their ballots in an election.

public attendance

Specifies attendance by the general public, often at a public event.

crowd size

Indicates the magnitude of a gathering.

level of engagement

Refers to how actively people are connected or involved.

FAQs

What does "the turnout" mean?

"The turnout" refers to the number of people who attend or participate in an event, such as an election, meeting, or gathering. It's commonly used to describe the level of public participation.

How can I use "the turnout" in a sentence?

You might say, "The election had a high turnout this year", indicating many people voted. Alternatively, you could say, "We were surprised by the low turnout at the meeting", meaning fewer people attended than expected.

What are some alternatives to saying "the turnout"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "attendance rate", "participation level", or "number of attendees". Each option offers a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "high turnout" or "large turnout"?

Both are acceptable, but "high turnout" is generally preferred when referring to a percentage or proportion of eligible participants, particularly in elections. "Large turnout" is more commonly used when describing the sheer number of people attending an event.