n. (pl. -eys) 1 a large mainly domesticated game-bird, Meleagris gallopavo, orig. of n. America, having dark plumage with a green or bronze sheen, prized as food esp. on festive occasions including Christmas and, in the US, Thanksgiving. 2 the flesh of the turkey as food. 3 US sl. a a theatrical failure; a flop. b a stupid or inept person. talk turkey US colloq. talk frankly and straightforwardly; get down to business. turkey buzzard (or vulture) an American vulture, Cathartes aura.
[ 16th c.: short for turkeycock or turkeyhen, orig. applied to the guinea-fowl which was imported through Turkey, and then erron. to the Amer. bird ]