spins; spun
ˈspʌn
; spinning
1
: to turn or cause someone or something to turn around repeatedly
The Earth spins [=rotates] on its axis once a day.
The car hit a patch of ice and spun into the wall.
a spinning propeller
He spun around [=turned around quickly] and looked at me in surprise.
The children were spinning a top.
He grabbed her and spun her around. [=he grabbed her and turned her around quickly]
2
: to seem to be moving around in a way that makes you feel dizzy or sick
I tried to stand up but the room was spinning.
After the night of drinking, my head was spinning. [=I was dizzy]
All of that information made my head spin. [=made me feel confused or dizzy]
3
: to draw out and twist fibers of cotton, wool, silk, etc., into yarn or thread
She spun the silk into thread.
They spun the wool into yarn.
tools used for spinning
4
of insects
: to form (something) by producing a fluid that quickly hardens into a thread
a spider spinning its web
worms spinning silk
5
: to tell (a story, especially a story that you create by using your imagination)
He was spinning yarns [=telling stories] about his adventures in the navy.
She spun a tale [=made up a story] about her car breaking down to explain why she was late.
6
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to move very quickly on wheels or in a vehicle
The motorcycles spun [=sped] along the country road.
7
: to describe (something, such as an event) in a certain way in order to influence what people think about it
Both parties tried to spin the debate as a victory for their candidate.
He accused the companies of spinning the results of their studies to their own benefit.
8
chiefly US, informal
: to play recorded music at a party or nightclub
We hired my favorite DJ to spin records/tunes/discs at the party.
plural spins
1
a
: the act of turning around and around : an act of spinning
the direction of the Earth's spin
The ice-skater executed graceful jumps and spins.
b
: a rapid turning motion given to a ball by someone who throws or hits it
A baseball thrown with spin is harder to hit.
She put spin on the ball/shot.
The bowler put a sideways spin on the ball.
2
: a certain way of describing or talking about something that is meant to influence other people's opinion of it
Each author puts a new/different spin on the story.
a positive/favorable spin
They claim to report the news with no spin.
3
informal
: a short trip in a vehicle
He took me for a spin in his new car.
Would you like to go for a spin?
4
: a condition in which an airplane is falling rapidly while turning around and around
The plane went into a spin. [=tailspin]
—sometimes used figurativelyThe news of her death sent him into a spin. [=caused him to become very unhappy, to lose control of his life, etc.]
5
: a state of being mentally confused or anxious
Her head was all in a spin. [=her head was spinning; she was very confused]
Cite this Entry
“Spin.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/spin. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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