revolving-door

1 of 2

adjective

re·​volv·​ing-door ri-ˈväl-viŋ-ˈdȯr 

-ˈvȯl-

also -ˈvä-viŋ-

or -ˈvȯ-viŋ-

: characterized by a frequent succession (as of personnel) or a cycle of leaving and returning

revolving-door governments

revolving door

2 of 2

noun

: a revolving-door system or process

Examples of revolving-door in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

All at once, three of the most crucial posts at the FDA have only acting leaders, with extra instability at CBER with its revolving-door leadership. —Paul Knoepfler, STAT, 21 May 2026

Common Cause Rhode Island and some legal scholars believe the state's revolving-door law requires lawmakers to wait a year before taking a state job, including Supreme Court seats. —Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal, 8 May 2026

Noun

In some ways, DOGE acted as an expedited revolving door, giving the young engineers brief, chaotic experience across multiple government agencies, before spitting them back into the Valley, which is chock-full of investors itching to get in on government-adjacent technology. —Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

Mass firings, communication freezes, political interference in the CDC’s scientific mission and a revolving door of leaders have created a challenging work environment for the CDC’s employees. —Candice Johnson, The Conversation, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1973, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for revolving-door

• conquistador
• covenantor
• forevermore
• hereinbefore
• kinetochore
• kwashiorkor
• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore