the turn of the century
At or near the end of one century and the beginning of another. At the turn of the 20th century, the introduction of factory electrification caused a huge boom in manufacturing. Scientists predict we won't see artificial intelligence that sophisticated until the turn of the century.
turn of the century
the time when the year changes to one with two final zeros, such as from 1899 to 1900. (Although technically incorrect-a new century begins with the year ending in 01—most people ignore this.) My family moved to America at the turn of the century. My uncle was born before the turn of the last century.
turn of the century
The beginning or end of a particular century, as in That idiom dates from the turn of the century, that is to say, about 1900. This expression was first recorded in 1926.
the ˌturn of the ˈcentury/ˈyear
the time when a new century/year starts: He was born around the turn of the century.