rev

1 of 4

noun

ˈrev 

1

: a revolution of a motor

2

: revolution per minute

—usually used in 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

Verb

• arouse
• encourage
• excite
• fire (up)
• impassion
• incite
• instigate
• move
• pique
• provoke
• spark
• stimulate
• stir

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Carr stalled out again Texas’ guard Marcus Carr had little rev to him once again, as the Bears held him to a quiet outing. —Dallas News, 25 Feb. 2023

The rev was upped by pressing all patients, including low-income ones, for payment, repeatedly and pretty much relentlessly. —Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2023

The Honda Civic Si sedan and Type R hatchback are only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, and this transmission comes with an automatic rev-matching function to make shifting for yourself slightly easier, too. —Steven Ewing, Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2023

The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 makes use of Intel Iris Xe Graphics, the latest rev of Intel's integrated silicon. —Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2022

Honda’s reworked automatic rev-matching works well on slower laps and is a helpful aid when learning braking and turn-in points. —Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 21 Nov. 2022

While pedal placement may not be ideal for heel-toe work, the six-speed manual is otherwise easy to row; a rev-match feature is standard. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 8 Nov. 2022

In manual-transmission Broncos, the kit includes rev-matching functionality for your downshifting pleasure. —Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 4 Oct. 2022

When all the kids are outside, the center is quiet save the rattling hum of the AC and the intermittent rev of a passing car. —Jennifer Brookland, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2022

Verb

Will China have the workers needed to rev up its economy as the country loosens its Covid restrictions? —Collin Eaton, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2023

Here, some of the most delectable wine advent calendars of 2022 that'll rev you up for the most wonderful time of the year. —Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 24 Nov. 2022

By contrast, many Wall Street analysts anticipate Brent prices to rise as Covid-19 outbreaks in China recede and the country's manufacturing and travel sectors rev up. —David Uberti, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2023

Salt Lake County Council members voted 7-1 on Tuesday to give Visit Salt Lake nearly a quarter-million dollars to rev up a supplementary shuttle service for the ski season. —Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Jan. 2023

Similarly, others posit that B2B will rev up to power the surge in demand for data and technology to drive sustainability, efficiency and other major changes to our economy. —Dee Blohm, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022

That parade began to help merchants rev up holiday shopping, and in the Depression, parades were a make-or-break moment for businesses hanging on by their fingernails. —Patt Morrisoncolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2022

The Kendall County Historical Society is looking to rev things up with the annual Lyon Farm Fall Festival in Yorkville Saturday and Sunday. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2022

When a person stops using steroids, the body’s machinery takes a while to rev up again. —William Neff, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for revolution

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1920, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing rev

• rev up

• rev up

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