Definition of "turf" []

• A surface layer of earth containing a dense growth of grass and its matted roots; sod. (noun)
• An artificial substitute for such a grassy layer, as on a playing field. (noun)
• A piece cut from a layer of earth or sod. (noun)
• A piece of peat that is burned for use as fuel. (noun)
• Slang The range of the authority or influence of a person, group, or thing; a bailiwick: "a bureaucracy ... concerned with turf, promotions, the budget, and protecting the retirement system” ( Harper's). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "So we wrote something called "This Turf Is Ours": This turf is ours, drew a big white line with a keep out sign, and they crossed it."
• "This turf is ours, gotta hold our ground, or we'll turn around, and we've lost it."
• "The transatlantic market is highly competitive, and larger airlines, defending what they call their turf, added flights to some of London's alternate airports."