rivet
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to fasten with a rivet or rivets.
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to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.
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to fasten or fix firmly.
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to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.
noun
verb
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to join by riveting
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to hammer in order to form into a head
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(often passive) to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etc
to be riveted to the spot
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rivet
First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette, from Old French rivet, derivative of river “to attach”; (verb) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun
Explanation
A rivet is a metal fastener, a bolt-like device that holds together two pieces of metal or fabric. The round metal fasteners on your favorite pair of jeans are rivets. Older buildings with metal frames like the Eiffel Tower are held together with rivets, and so are some bridges and military vehicles. Furniture upholstery often involves rivets, too. When you use a rivet to fasten, you can say you rivet — and similarly, to hold attention or captivate is also to rivet. The Old French root is river, "to clench or fasten."
Vocabulary lists containing rivet
Esperanza Rising
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"The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury
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And Then There Were None
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Why a second ceremony is often more emotional than the first wedding; Rivet Events: Mixing Old and New: Blending Generations on the Dance Floor for Weddings.
From Slate • Sep. 4, 2025
In a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press prior to her campaign announcement, McDonald Rivet shared that Kildee had called her, revealing his decision to step aside and encouraging her to run for his seat.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 3, 2024
The Rivet Joint is loaded with sensors to intercept communications.
From BBC • Sep. 14, 2023
Amazon also is scrapping private-label furniture, phasing out its Rivet and Stone & Beam brands once their stock runs out, the report said.
From Reuters • Aug. 10, 2023
The owner, Dave Rivet, was one of Dad’s closest friends.
From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
