revolve

verb

re·​volve ri-ˈvälv How to pronounce revolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv,
 also  -ˈväv,
 or  -ˈvȯv
revolved; revolving

transitive verb

1
: to turn over at length in the mind : ponder
revolve a scheme
2
a
obsolete : to cause to go round in an orbit

intransitive verb

1
: recur
2
a
: to ponder something
b
: to remain under consideration
ideas revolved in his mind
3
a
: to move in a curved path round a center or axis
b
: to turn or roll round on an axis
4
: to have or come to a specified focus : center
usually used with around
the dispute revolved around wages
revolvable
ri-ˈväl-və-bəl How to pronounce revolve (audio)
-ˈvȯl-
 also  -ˈvä-və-
 or  -ˈvȯ-və-
adjective

Examples of revolve in a Sentence

As the gear revolves, it turns the other gears. The Earth revolves on its axis. The software allows you to revolve images.
Recent Examples on the Web The release includes multiple featurettes focusing on Mann himself, the vehicles depicted in the film, the famous Mille Miglia race around which the fate of Ferrari’s company revolves, and the incredible lead performances of Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Lloyd positions his leading lady in a folding chair on a revolving stage stripped of any sets, backdrops, or hints of artifice. Christian Holub, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023 Of those who revolve their balances, 58% — 56 million people — have been in debt for at least one year, according to the company. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2024 Now, the company has taken its love for all things musical to another level, with the launch of The Gibson Band, a revolving collective of Gibson artists that will join together to write and record new music. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 8 Dec. 2023 In high-end homes, closets feature champagne bars, tanning booths and revolving shoe racks. Sarah Paynter, WSJ, 11 Feb. 2024 And of those who revolve their balances, 58% (56 million people) — have been in debt for at least one year. Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024 To set your sets under a sun that’s revolving, so your set is changing light all day versus on a soundstage, where everything is manipulated. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024 Now 80 years old, Mann is still influencing generations of filmmakers and is back with his first feature film in eight years, Ferrari, which also happens to be his first film that revolves completely around cars. Jon Alain Guzik, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revolven "to pass (of time), wind round, roll," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French revolver "to turn, turn over (in the mind)," borrowed from Latin revolvere "to roll back to a starting point, bring back round, (passive) travel in a circular course, return to a starting point," from re- re- + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of revolve was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near revolve

Cite this Entry

“Revolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolve. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

revolve

verb
re·​volve ri-ˈvälv How to pronounce revolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv
revolved; revolving
1
: to think over carefully
2
a
: to move in an orbit
b
: to turn on or as if on an axis : rotate
3
4
: to have as a main point
the argument revolved around wages
revolvable adjective
Etymology

Middle English revolven "to turn over in the mind, cause to go around (on an axis)," from Latin revolvere "to roll back, cause to return," from re- "back, again" and volvere "to roll" — related to volume see Word History at volume

More from Merriam-Webster on revolve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!