often attributive
: a device joining two parts so that one or both can pivot freely (as on a bolt or pin)
swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling
ˈswi-və-liŋ 
ˈswiv-liŋ
: to turn on or as if on a swivel
swiveled his eyes in various directions
: to swing or turn on or as if on a swivel
Examples of swivel in a Sentence
Noun
The gun was mounted on a swivel.
Verb
She swiveled in her seat to check the time.
She swiveled the chair around to face us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Its Summer 2026 collection reinterprets celestial motifs, lockets, swivels and charms through the lens of 19th-century keepsakes.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
New Atlas, 4 June 2026
Some robot makers have expanded that concept into swiveling tabletop machines like ElliQ, designed for elder companionship.
—Matt O’Brien, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for swivel
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Noun
The bathrooms are visions of black-and-white marble and black tile, appointed with dual-head showers and a brilliant stand-alone mirror that swivels to catch you at every angle.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Its Summer 2026 collection reinterprets celestial motifs, lockets, swivels and charms through the lens of 19th-century keepsakes.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
But not every single Leatherman plier tool has taken on the ubiquitous X-like form with plier teeth emerging simultaneously from split swiveling handles.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2026
Some robot makers have expanded that concept into swiveling tabletop machines like ElliQ, designed for elder companionship.
—Matt O’Brien, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for swivel
Cite this Entry
“Swivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swivel. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swivel
1 of 2 noun
swiv·el
ˈswiv-əl
: a device joining two parts so that one or both can turn freely
swivel
2 of 2 verb
swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling
ˈswiv-(ə-)liŋ
: to turn on or as if on a swivel
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