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
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Watch him closely and his head is on a constant swivel, scanning for space and looking where pressure is coming from.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
However, the ex-Everton frontman seems to have the advantage over Solanke, spearheading the lineup and swivelling his long limbs to net two excellent goals and start on the right footing.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swivel
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Noun
From that point on, this pet parent needs to keep her head on a swivel.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Watch him closely and his head is on a constant swivel, scanning for space and looking where pressure is coming from.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
California’s 42nd Congressional District, represented now by Garcia, a former Long Beach mayor, could swivel down to pick up more coastal areas, including Orange County’s Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
However, the ex-Everton frontman seems to have the advantage over Solanke, spearheading the lineup and swivelling his long limbs to net two excellent goals and start on the right footing.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swivel
Cite this Entry
“Swivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swivel. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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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