rev

1 of 4

noun

ˈrev 

1

: a revolution of a motor

2

: revolution per minute

—usually plural

rev

2 of 4

verb

revved; revving

transitive verb

1

a

: to step up the number of revolutions per minute of

—often used with up

rev up the engine

b

: increase

—used with up

rev up production

2

: to drive or operate especially at high speed

—often used with up

3

: to make more active or effective

—used with up

revving up the economy

4

: to stir up : excite

—usually used with up

revved up the kids before bedtime

intransitive verb

1

: to operate at an increased speed of revolution

—usually used with up

2

: to increase in amount or activity

—usually used with up

the campaign revved up

3

: to become more excited especially in anticipation

—usually used with up

the partygoers were revving up

rev

3 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

revenue

2

reverse

3

review; reviewed

4

revised; revision

5

revolution

Rev

4 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1

Revelation

2

reverend

Synonyms of rev

Verb

• encourage
• provoke
• fire (up)
• stimulate

Examples of rev in a Sentence

Verb

the team was revved up by the coach's do-or-die locker room speech

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Sport the exhaust is distinctly louder—when shifting into Sport, when stepping on the throttle and even when braking; the system delivers a nice pop-and-gurgle rev match when downshifting. — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Paul Hansen recalled hearing the engine rev before the vehicle jumped the curb and hit them. — Bethany Brown, People.com, 9 May 2025

Verb

Hammer tends to deliver equally sensible advice, only in a more flamboyant and revved-up package. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

In fact, the engine revs climb so quickly that engaging the paddle shifters often hits the limiter because the paddles don’t shift fast enough. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for revolution

First Known Use

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing rev

• rev up

Rhymes for rev

• dev
• lev
• maglev

Kids Definition

rev

1 of 2 noun

ˈrev 

: a revolution of a motor

rev

2 of 2 verb

revved; revving

1

a

: to increase the revolutions per minute of (a motor)

b

: increase

—used with up

rev up production

2

: to make more active or effective

—used with up

needed to rev up the campaign

3

: excite sense 1

—usually used with up

revved the kids up