swivel chair

American  

noun

1. a chair whose seat turns around horizontally on a swivel.

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swivel chair British  

noun

1. a chair, the seat of which is joined to the legs by a swivel and which thus may be spun round

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Etymology

Origin of swivel chair

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Maddox Batson sits in a swivel chair in a West Hollywood recording studio on a recent evening, spinning idly as his mother and manager go over their plans for the next few days.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Or Billie Eilish, who spins around on a loop in an office’s swivel chair in her video for “Birds of a Feather.”

From Slate • Dec. 2, 2024

In the windowless basement, one floor down from the Oval Office, the president’s oversize swivel chair faces three huge screens that he can consult while overseeing covert operations around the world.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2023

In living rooms, a swivel chair bridges several functions, says Conner — it’s ready for conversation over here or binge-watching over there, which is very helpful in a small space.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2023

Settling back in his swivel chair, his feet up on the desk and his eyes closed, he began imagining how beautiful everything would be once he was squadron commander.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller