surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
"The gardener carefully cut a patch of turf to use as a new lawn in the backyard."
the territory claimed by a juvenile gang as its own
"The rival gangs fought violently over control of their shared turf in the downtown district."
range of jurisdiction or influence
"a bureaucracy...chiefly concerned with turf...and protecting the retirement system"
A layer of earth covered with grass; sod.
"The gardener carefully lifted a piece of turf from the garden to replace the dead patch in his lawn."
In plain English: Turf is grass that grows on the ground, often used to make lawns or cover areas where people walk and play sports.
"The gardener asked his neighbor to please keep their dog off our lawn and not step on our turf."
Usage: Turf refers specifically to the thick slice of soil and grass used as ground covering, distinct from loose dirt or individual blades. People often confuse it with "lawn," but turf emphasizes the removable unit itself rather than the entire expanse of green space.
cover (the ground) with a surface layer of grass or grass roots
"The construction crew will turf the entire backyard before the summer season begins."
To cover with turf; to create a lawn by laying turfs.
"The workers spent the summer tarring the hillside before they could finally turf it with fresh grass."
In plain English: To turf someone means to kick them out of a place quickly and without warning.
"The workers were busy turfing up old grass to prepare for planting flowers in the garden."
The word "turf" comes from Old English, where it originally meant a piece of grass-covered earth or sod. It traveled into modern usage with this same core meaning regarding cut sections of ground covered in vegetation.