pivot

noun

piv·ot | \ ˈpi-vət

Definition of pivot

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a shaft or pin on which something turns

2a : a person, thing, or factor having a major or central role, function, or effect

b : a key player or position specifically : an offensive position of a basketball player standing usually with back to the basket to relay passes, shoot, or provide a screen for teammates

3 : the action of pivoting especially : the action in basketball of stepping with one foot while keeping the other foot at its point of contact with the floor

pivot

adjective

Definition of pivot (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : turning on or as if on a pivot

2 : pivotal

pivot

verb

pivoted; pivoting; pivots

Definition of pivot (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to turn on or as if on a pivot

transitive verb

1 : to provide with, mount on, or attach by a pivot

2 : to cause to pivot

Other Words from pivot Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about pivot

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of pivot in a Sentence

Noun

an issue that is the real pivot of the controversy

Verb

The dancers pivoted on their toes and changed direction. The door hinge pivots around the pin. The quarterback pivoted and threw the ball to the running back.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Ironic, low-boil events ensue involving Marlina’s twisty bus trip to the police station, the travails of Marlina’s pregnant neighbor (Dea Panendra), misogynistic men and Marlina’s pivot to impromptu midwife. — Gary Goldstein, latimes.com, "Review: Episodic Indonesian thriller 'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts' simmers and bedevils," 5 July 2018 Tsai surmises that Tencent’s pivot to retailing is connected. — Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, "Alibaba v. Tencent: The Battle for Supremacy in China," 21 June 2018 Sheffer’s pivot from describing deadly Nazi conceptions of community to Asperger’s complicity with the Reich’s killing machine is less effective. — Seth Mnookin, New York Times, "Was Autism a Nazi Invention?," 18 June 2018 Since North Korea’s pivot to diplomacy began early this year, Mr. Abe has stayed on the sidelines, wary of Pyongyang’s intentions. — Alastair Gale, WSJ, "Japan’s Abe Considers Joining in Diplomacy With North Korea," 14 June 2018 Where the Obama-era determination was backed by more than 1,000 pages of technical assessments and other studies, the SAB working group said the Trump administration’s pivot was based on much thinner evidence. — Bloomberg News, BostonGlobe.com, "EPA ignoring its own research to roll back emission standards, advisers say," 29 May 2018 Kim’s new diplomacy should be understood as part of the unfolding of byungjin, and likely signals a pivot from security to prosperity, isolation to integration, ICBMs to SEZs. — John Delury, Washington Post, "Pompeo’s visit suggests the Trump-Kim summit is on track. Here’s why Kim is ready to talk.," 18 Apr. 2018 The streak has coincided with coach Tata Martino’s pivot to a 3-5-2. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "MLS Tiers, Week 6: Imbalanced Schedule, CCL Commitments Cloud League Hierarchy," 10 Apr. 2018 Maybe, then, Wealthfront’s pivot marks a stress test that the market needed to see which companies were genuine in their embrace of passive investing—and which were simply being opportunistic. — Felix Salmon, WIRED, "Beware of Roboadvisors Bearing Low Fees," 20 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Green, however, clearly picked up his left pivot foot first, which was missed and likely should’ve been called a traveling violation. — J. Michael, Indianapolis Star, "Tempers spike in intense rivalry between Pacers, Cavs with Lance Stephenson in middle," 23 Apr. 2018 Struggling to keep her pivot foot at the top of the arc amid a double-team, her shovel pass found a wide-open Sabally for a layup and a 62-46 lead with 7:32 remaining. — Andrew Greif, OregonLive.com, "Ducks women stay put, Beavers move up in AP poll," 22 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Ferocity personified: Tkay Maidza, an Australian 21-year-old with a ton of promise, gets a shimmering production from Hoodboi and bodies it with an uncomplicated flow that eventually pivots into breathy singing. — Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, "20 Great Pop Songs From 2018's First Half You Might Have Missed," 5 July 2018 Some social media stars attempt to pivot into mainstream Hollywood, others use their fame to launch side business ventures, and still more crash and burn out. — Taylor Lorenz, The Atlantic, "The Lil Tay Saga Reaches Its Logical Conclusion," 24 May 2018 As the novel pivots to the 1970s, Green all but falls out of the novel and Jonathan, or Johnny, becomes the book’s center. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Alan Hollinghurst’s Long Journey," 30 Mar. 2018 The main thing that the industry learned about the pilot with the recorder’s office is that the entire property transacation process pivots on the demands of the buyer and seller, says Ragnar Lifthrasir, founder and chief executive officer of Velox. — Joanne Cleaver, chicagotribune.com, "Could blockchain technology transform homebuying in Cook County — and beyond?," 9 July 2018 Graus said the case has always pivoted on what put Greis in the left lane as his car topped the rise on Staffordsburg Road. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, "Daniel Greis found guilty on all counts in death of Pollitt family," 29 June 2018 Or if Trump suddenly pivots and abandons his pledge to build a border wall. — Chris Cillizza, CNN, "It's very hard to see how Donald Trump isn't the Republican nominee in 2020," 13 June 2018 But Louisville City leveled just six minutes later as Ownby pivoted and chipped a pass across the box to Oscar Jimenez, who volleyed it in at the near post. — Danielle Lerner, The Courier-Journal, "LouCity FC stuns New England Revolution in U.S. Open Cup," 5 June 2018 Take, for instance, the twisting deflection of defenseman Matt Niskanen’s blast in Game 3 against Columbus on April 17, as Wilson pivoted toward his backhand and guided the puck downward from chest-height. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Tom Wilson Evolves Into a Defensive-Minded Sidekick for Capitals’ Star-Studded Offense," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pivot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.