rivet

play

noun riv·et \ˈri-vət\

Definition of rivet

: a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head

See rivet defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rivet from the Web

The aircraft was gorgeous—all rivets, slabs of naked, shiny metal with guns aplenty.

— josh max, Popular Mechanics, "Flying in a Fortress," 23 June 2017
Ford said that the latest investment at KTP is going toward building a new body to rivet and bond parts of the new aluminum alloy body for the Expedition and Navigator.

— brent snavely, Detroit Free Press, "Ford to import Focus from China instead of Mexico," 20 June 2017
Construction is continuing at KTP on a new body shop to rivet and bond parts of the new aluminum alloy body and to add a new trim assembly line for the Expedition and Navigator, Hinrichs said.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Ford will sink $900 million in Kentucky Truck Plant for new Lincoln Navigator, Expedition," 20 June 2017
The Rivets, ('50's, '60's.) July 20, North Park: ABBA Salute.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Summer sounds: A guide to 2017 outdoor concerts," 2 June 2017
Having never seen a rhino, but moved by the description of its armor-like skin, Dürer girdled his animal in steel, complete with rivets.

— dan neil, WSJ, "GTC4Lusso: A Ferrari for the Whole Family," 18 May 2017
On the smallest 787, the machine’s synchronized inner and outer parts install a total of 6,000 rivets, one every 25 seconds.

— dominic gates, The Seattle Times, "Boeing’s key suppliers in Japan want an upgrade," 13 May 2017
At the time, steel ships were made of overlapping steel plates that were joined with rivets.

— ben raines | braines@al.com, AL.com, "1940s Alabama ferry reborn as luxury fishing lodge the Waypoint," 13 May 2017
In an attempt to fix it, the city had the hairline crack drilled out to half an inch and rivets inserted on either end of the new, more visible crack, thinking to make the bell more stable and even occasionally ringable.

— stephen fried, Smithsonian, "How the Liberty Bell Won the Great War," 2 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rivet

Middle English, clinch on a nail, rivet, from Old French, from river to attach, rivet, probably from rive border, edge, bank, from Latin ripa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

rivet

verb riv·et

Definition of rivet

transitive verb
1 : to fasten with or as if with rivets
2 : to upset the end or point of (something, such as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head
3 : to fasten or fix firmly stood riveted by fright
4 : to attract and hold (something, such as a person's attention) completely

riveter

noun

See rivet defined for English-language learners

Examples of rivet in a Sentence

The iron plates are riveted rather than welded.
everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage

Recent Examples of rivet from the Web

In the United States, public attention has been riveted by the colorful new occupant of the White House, and whether Congress will dramatically revise the nation’s health-care system.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Famine must receive more of the world’s attention," 29 June 2017
Last night was an excruciating evening for activist Democrats everywhere who had been riveted on Jon Ossoff’s special election campaign in the Sixth District of Georgia.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "After Ossoff Defeat, Georgia Democrats Are Looking For Some Answers," 23 June 2017
Hopefuls flocked to California, desperate for fame and fortune, and their derring-do riveted the nation.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Sea of Dreams: How William Wrigley Jr. brought the Wrigley Ocean Marathon to life," 23 June 2017
And the room, full of jaded industry folk, is rapt, riveted, turned on.

— lili anolik, VanityFair.com, "Inside the Making of Mulholland Drive, David Lynch’s Dark, Freudian Masterpiece," 19 June 2017
The vocal performance itself is riveting, drawing too many rave online reviews to count.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Watch and listen: Amazing choir creates a storm with nothing but their hands and feet," 15 June 2017
On the day that Washington was riveted by the testimony on Capitol Hill of former FBI director James Comey, President Trump made a speech to a group of religious conservatives during which raised the issue of religion and schools.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "The big problem with what Trump just said about religion in schools," 12 June 2017
As most Americans are riveted by former FBI Director James Comey’s hearing on his firing, Senate Republicans are rushing behind-the-scenes to put together a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "What Are the Secret Moves Being Made on the Senate Health Care Bill?," 9 June 2017
While Americans were riveted by the James Comey hearings yesterday, another event, almost as important to our democracy was happening across the pond.

— jason johnson, The Root, "British Election Backs Blacks and Breaks Brexit," 9 June 2017

First Known Use of rivet

15th century

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

RIVET Defined for English Language Learners

rivet

play

noun

Definition of rivet for English Language Learners

: a special kind of metal bolt or pin that is used to hold pieces of metal together

rivet

verb

Definition of rivet for English Language Learners

: to attract and hold all of someone's attention
: to make (someone) unable to move because of fear, shock, etc.
: to fasten (something) with rivets

RIVET Defined for Kids

rivet

play

noun riv·et \ˈri-vət\

Definition of rivet for Students

: a bolt with a head that is passed through two or more pieces and is hammered into place

rivet

play

verb riv·et

Definition of rivet for Students

riveted

;

riveting

1 : to fasten with rivets
2 : to attract and hold (as someone's attention) completely We were riveted by the story.
3 : to make (someone) unable to move because of fear or shock