{n. phr.} The time at the end of one century and the beginning of the next century; {especially}: The time when the 1800's became the 1900's; the early 1900's. * /Automobiles were strange things to see at the turn of the century./
TURN OF THE CENTURY
Meaning of TURN OF THE CENTURY in English
Dictionary of English idioms . Словарь английских идиом. 2012