revolve

verb

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re·volve | \ ri-ˈvälv

, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv \

revolved; revolving

Definition of revolve

transitive verb

1 : to turn over at length in the mind : ponder revolve a scheme

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

b : rotate sense 1

intransitive verb

1 : recur

2a : to ponder something

b : to remain under consideration ideas revolved in his mind

3a : 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

Other Words from revolve Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing revolve Learn More About revolve

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 Nicknames in hockey tend to revolve around a player's proper name, but every now and then, a unique one comes along. — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 22 Sep. 2022 Many of the criticisms seem to revolve around these historical inaccuracies, but this is not the first time warriors inspired by the Agojie have been portrayed on the big screen. — Alexis Potter, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 His first musical memories revolve around the big-band albums his father played on the family Magnavox record player. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2022 Other goals revolve around expanding wholesale orders beyond the U.K. market and designing more book covers to showcase her love of reading. — Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 29 Aug. 2022 Ars readers have seen this in systems made by Analogue, which tend to revolve around a single console family and a working cartridge slot, along with the MiSTer community, which goes a different route. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 When parents talk to their kids about divorce, those initial discussions tend to revolve around all the things that will change. — John Duffy, CNN, 13 June 2021 In other words, these numbers don't tell me if the plan projections are successful already and whether the bulk of my instructions can just revolve around the tactical side of things – investment changes, tax efficiency, RSU strategizing, etc. — Gideon Drucker, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Both Genesis Mini models are made by the same team at M2 and apparently revolve around the same emulation cores and interfaces. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for revolve

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