rev

¹

[rev]

noun

1. a revolution (in an engine or the like).

verb (used with object)

revved, revving 

1. to accelerate sharply the speed of (an engine or the like) (often followed byup ).

verb (used without object)

revved, revving 

1. (of an engine) to accelerate; become revved (often followed byup ).

verb phrase

1. rev up,  to increase in strength or accelerate sharply.

   The economy is beginning to rev up.

rev.

²

abbreviation

1. revenue.

2. reverse.

3. review.

4. reviewed.

5. revise; revised.

6. revision.

7. revolution.

8. revolving.

Rev.

³

abbreviation

1. Bible.,  Revelation.

2. Reverend.

rev.

¹

abbreviation

1. revenue

2. reverse(d)

3. review

4. revise(d)

5. revision

6. revolution

7. revolving

Rev.

²

abbreviation

1. Bible Revelation

2. Reverend

rev

³

/ rɛv /

noun

1. revolution per minute

   the engine was doing 5000 revs

verb

1. (often foll by up) to increase the speed of revolution of (an engine)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rev.¹

First recorded in 1900–05; short for revolution

Example Sentences

Ms. Sears has made girls’ sports a central theme of her campaign, which probably revs up GOP voters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Expressions of fake awe about motorcycle gangs that pass by displaying Confederate flags and other racist symbols of the Old South and revving their engines for attention.

Read more on Salon

She demonstrates “rev matching” in her Honda Civic Type R while offering tips on how to navigate a drive-through without stalling.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Most of its featured romantic betrayals and fistfights were real, revved into the red by producers taking advantage of their subject’s emotional discombobulation.

Read more on Salon

There is, at all times, a prominent undercurrent of confidence that keeps “Caught Stealing” humming in neutral, ready to rev its engines and blast off again.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• appoint 
• come up with 
• create 
• enact 
• establish 
• inaugurate 
• initiate 
• install 
• introduce 
• launch 
• organize 
• set up