revolve

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

2 a obsolete : to cause to go round in an orbit

b : rotate 1

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

play \ri-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

Other industry practices show how much Wall Street’s system for buying and selling mutual funds revolves around Morningstar ratings.

— kirsten grind, WSJ, "The Morningstar Mirage," 28 Oct. 2017
My day revolved around the hope that Jonathan Franzen would say something that would piss off the internet.

— jason diamond, Longreads, "Judging Books By Their Covers," 21 Oct. 2017
Leave a Note Steps from the Plaza Cataluña, and right on Las Ramblas, this property used to be the headquarters of the Philippines Tobacco Company—the initials of the company remain engraved on its revolving entry door.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Hotel 1898," 20 Oct. 2017
His primary function is to serve as the swivel around which the intricate Rancho running game revolves.

— jeff savage, sandiegouniontribune.com, "From the Archives: Dave Roberts 1989 interview," 13 Oct. 2017
Most of Friday’s hearing revolved around whether the events leading up to Russell’s shooting were motivated by gang retaliation.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "2 men sentenced to life in prison for fatal Garden City shooting," 13 Oct. 2017
Much of the testimony of this ongoing third week of the trial has revolved around travel the senator allegedly took with his friend, Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen.

— NBC News, "First Read’s Morning Clips: ‘Rocket Man’," 20 Sep. 2017
The entire offseason, the conversations about Louisville football revolved around two things: Improving the offensive line and cutting down on penalties and turnovers.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "For Louisville football, it's Lamar Jackson to the rescue – again | Jeff Greer," 3 Sep. 2017
Ceiling fans revolve slowly above walls lined with dark polished wood, as waiters in white jackets dispense cups of tea.

— richard vines, Bloomberg.com, "The 7 Most Exclusive Private Dining Rooms in London," 1 Nov. 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

revolve Synonyms

Synonyms

chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, ponder, pore (over), question, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with);

Near Antonyms

disregard, ignore, overlook, slight;

dismiss, pooh-pooh (also pooh), reject;

analyze, explore, review;

conclude, reason;

second-guess, speculate (about);

brood (about or over), dwell (on or upon), fixate (on or upon), fret (about or over), obsess (about or over);

believe, conceive, opine;

absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in);

Phrases

beat one's brains out (about), chew on, cudgel one's brains (about), look at;

REVOLVE Defined for English Language Learners

revolve

verb

Definition of revolve for English Language Learners

: to turn around a center point or line

REVOLVE Defined for Kids

revolve

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.