revolve

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verb re·volve \ri-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\

Definition of revolve

revolved

;

revolving

transitive verb
1 : to turn over at length in the mind : ponder revolve a scheme
2a obsolete : to cause to go round in an orbitb : rotate 1
intransitive verb
1 : recur
2a : to ponder somethingb : to remain under consideration ideas revolved in his mind
3a : to move in a curved path round a center or axisb : 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

play \-ˈväl-və-bəl, -ˈvȯl- also -ˈvä-və- or -ˈvȯ-və-\ adjective

See revolve defined for English-language learners

See revolve defined for kids

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 of revolve from the Web

The request revolves around one principle: Keep flies away from disposed food.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Twice-weekly trash pickup to return to Mission Beach", 3 July 2017
With a revolving supply of working-class residents and tourists, Cunanan's behavior — in all day, out all night —didn't raise an eyebrow.

— by curtis morgan, miamiherald, "Versace’s killer vanished. And the manhunt was on", 2 July 2017
Kusama had a difficult childhood with cultural trauma caused by World War II and a home life that revolved around an adulterous father and a judgmental mother who adamantly opposed her desire to pursue art.

— gayle clemans, The Seattle Times, "Review: At Seattle Art Museum, ‘Infinity Mirrors’ is spectacular, surreal — and, yes, reflective", 29 June 2017
Instead of waiting for Godot, the plot revolved around waiting for a ball in play.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Grades on trades for Reds pitching incomplete at best", 21 June 2017
The problem lies when the product itself is elevated above the process, and questions of improving revolve around getting an A and not mastering skills.

— ashley lamb-sinclair, The Atlantic, "Why Grades Are Not Paramount to Achievement", 16 June 2017
Their conversations typically revolve around those topics now — family, kids, grandchildren.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity.com, "Like grandfather, like father, like son: Sporting KC's Diego Rubio was born into soccer", 16 June 2017
The work revolves around the Early Cretaceous allosauroid Neovenator salerii from the Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, and specifically its facial anatomy.

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Sensitive Face of a Big Predatory Dinosaur", 16 June 2017
Acosta said Monday that the policy would revolve around encouraging more partnerships between business and schools rather than increasing the $90 million the federal government currently devotes to apprenticeships.

— laurie kellman and josh boak, chicagotribune.com, "In Wisconsin, Trump to tout apprenticeships as way to fill jobs gap", 13 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of revolve

Middle English, from Latin revolvere to roll back, cause to return, from re- + volvere to roll — more at voluble

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

REVOLVE Defined for English Language Learners

revolve

play

verb

Definition of revolve for English Language Learners

: to turn around a center point or line

REVOLVE Defined for Kids

revolve

play

verb re·volve \ri-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv\

Definition of revolve for Students

revolved

;

revolving

1 : to move in an orbit Planets revolve around the sun.
2 : rotate 1

Word Root of revolve

The Latin word volvere, meaning “to roll” or “to turn around,” gives us the root volv. Words from the Latin volvere have something to do with turning. To revolve is to turn in circles or travel on a circular path. To evolve, or grow or develop out of something else, is to unroll from a source. To involve, or include, is to roll someone into a situation.