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

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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

The pivot doesn’t change the reality that cutting taxes and giving the military a funding boost is much easier than cutting programs America’s oldest and poorest citizens rely on. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "Paul Ryan’s regrets, explained for Paul Ryan.," 29 Nov. 2018 Can a brand built for the male gaze pivot to respond to female experience instead? — Elizabeth Winkler, WSJ, "Management Still Stumped by Victoria’s Secret," 19 Nov. 2018 Billionaire Nelson Peltz, who runs Trian Fund Management, an activist investment firm feared by executives of struggling companies, called to congratulate Immelt on the pivot right after the announcement. — Thomas Gryta And Ted Mann, WSJ, "GE Powered the American Century—Then It Burned Out," 14 Dec. 2018 People’s deeply ingrained worldviews about the relative safety of these dramatic social changes and the world around us, in general, evolved into the key pivot between Republicans and Democrats. — Marc J. Hetherington, Vox, "How you think about raising children says a lot about your political views," 29 Nov. 2018 The rumored pivot to free-to-play never occurred, and as promised Nexon shut all the servers down on September 14 and yanked the game from Steam. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Telltale hit with major layoffs and THQ continues its buying spree," 21 Sep. 2018 The pivot was accompanied by a new round of funding. — Alan Goldfarb, The Verge, "Artificial whiskey is coming, and one company is betting you’ll drink up," 23 Aug. 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s finally making the free-to-play pivot, ditching the $15 barrier to entry it’s maintained since release in 2012. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive goes free-to-play, adds a battle royale mode called Danger Zone," 6 Dec. 2018 Which is why her newest hairstyle (a... surprising pivot from her signature messy bun) caught my attention. — Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "Wait, Did Meghan Markle Just Revive the Bump-It?," 19 Oct. 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

Glass siders are used throughout to create an airy feel, and the front entrance is a Neoporte pivoting stainless steel door centered in a glass and stainless steel breezeway. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The 5 best shipping container houses of 2018," 27 Dec. 2018 In 2019 Deuter will introduce the Kid Comfort Pro, which features an improved and adjustable version of the Aircomfort back system as well as a pivoting hip belt that employs dual-density foam for superior wrap. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "Hike With Your Kids Using These Child Carrier Backpacks," 28 Nov. 2018 When Trump won, Whitaker pivoted — his new job seemed to be arguing that Trump and his associates didn’t commit crimes, particularly in relation to Mueller’s investigation. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "The many scandals of Trump’s new acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, explained," 14 Nov. 2018 That’s largely powered by the action in the Fright Zone, as Catra — like Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Prince Zuko — pivots from her basic role of chasing the good guys around the world and takes on a far richer arc. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Netflix’s She-Ra reboot follows closely in Steven Universe’s footsteps," 8 Nov. 2018 Not surprisingly, some decide to pivot toward career philanthropy, Lakin says. — Marisa Meltzer, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Latest Travel Trend? Super Sabbaticals," 24 Dec. 2018 But rather than trying to shed light on Instacart, Dumpling has pivoted to directly competing with it. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "Instacart changes how it pays shoppers, but many say they’re now making less," 18 Nov. 2018 Blair's then-publicist, entertainment manager Troy Nankin, was Grieco's business partner when, as a former talent assistant, decided to pivot and launch a beauty line. — Marcy Medina | Wwd, latimes.com, "Selma Blair, Ali Larter help Nyakio celebrate return to Ron Robinson," 25 May 2018 Instead of using a thumb to control the direction of water, this garden hose pivots the entire nozzle. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China's New Upgrade Makes Its Fighter Jets Wildly Maneuverable," 7 Nov. 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.