turn of the century

turn of the century (plural turns of the centuries or turns of centuries)

1. The beginning or end of a certain century.

   By the turn of the century he was starting to become well known in literary circles.

   • 1940 December, O. S. M. Raw, “The Rhodesia Railways—II”, in Railway Magazine, page 639:

     The 7th and 8th classes are identical with the Cape engines placed in service at the turn of the century, and are now outclassed for main line work but are used for shunting at the large depots and on one or two of the branch lines.

• turn of the year
• fin de siècle