rev

¹ American  

[rev] / rɛv /

noun

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

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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 American  

abbreviation

1. revenue.

2. reverse.

3. review.

4. reviewed.

5. revise; revised.

6. revision.

7. revolution.

8. revolving.

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Rev. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Bible. Revelation.

2. Reverend.

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rev. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. revenue

2. reverse(d)

3. review

4. revise(d)

5. revision

6. revolution

7. revolving

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Rev. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Bible Revelation

2. Reverend

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rev ³ British  

/ rɛv /

noun

1. revolution per minute

   the engine was doing 5000 revs

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of rev

First recorded in 1900–05; short for revolution

Example Sentences

The little wagon retains the flat-four’s characteristic droning when it revs out, as when merging with highway traffic.

From The Wall Street Journal

George revved the snowmobile and turned to find another way out of town.

From Literature

Andre Harris is a pawn in a debate that has car buffs across Maryland revved up: What should qualify as a historic vehicle?

From The Wall Street Journal

The rumble starts in my gut and builds, revving from zero to full-rage race-car fast at the casual mention of my girl’s impending death.

From Literature

The "Avatar" films "connect everywhere around the world," Gross said, adding that the 20th Century movie -- like its predecessors -- would likely rev up on "outstanding word-of-mouth."

From Barron's

Related Words

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