Turnout is the number of people who show up for an event, especially an election. When news reports say “voter turnout was high,” they mean lots of people came out to vote. When turnout is low, fewer people participated than expected.

The word matters most in democratic elections. In a country where citizens choose their leaders, high turnout means more voices are heard. A school election with 80% turnout means four out of every five students voted. A local election with 30% turnout means only three out of ten eligible voters showed up, so a smaller group made the decision for everyone.

Turnout also describes attendance at other events. A concert might have a great turnout if the venue fills with excited fans. A community cleanup might have disappointing turnout if only a handful of volunteers appear. Sports teams care about fan turnout because packed stadiums create energy and excitement.

Good turnout usually signals that people care about what's happening. When organizers want better turnout, they might remind people why participation matters or make it easier for people to attend.