rivet

1 of 2

noun

riv·​et ˈri-vət 

: 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

rivet

2 of 2

verb

riveted; riveting; rivets

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

Synonyms of rivet

Verb

• focus
• concentrate

Examples of rivet in a Sentence

Verb

The iron plates are riveted rather than welded.

everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Sacramento Bee and Sacramento Union newspapers regularly went into detail about the process – one November 1949 article listed how many rivets were driven by steelworkers every day (300). —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025

When Levi’s patent was in full force, some early workwear brands tried to use rivets but were stopped in their tracks. —Mohsin Sajid, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

Verb

From there, each pan needs to be cleaned up and polished before workers can rivet the handles on. —Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025

The jury was riveted to Jordan, arguably the best basketball player ever and certainly one of the most successful sportsmen-turned-businessmen. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rivet

• civet
• pivot
• privet

Kids Definition

rivet

1 of 2 noun

riv·​et ˈriv-ət 

: a metal bolt with a head at one end 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

rivet

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with rivets

2

: to attract and hold (as one's attention) completely

riveter noun