revolve

American  

[ri-volv] / rɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used without object)

revolved, revolving

1. to move in a circular or curving course or orbit.

   The earth revolves around the sun.

   Synonyms:

   circle, orbit

2. to turn around or rotate, as on an axis.

   The wheel revolves slowly.

3. to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.

4. to be revolved in the mind.

5. to focus or center on.

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verb (used with object)

revolved, revolving

1. to cause to turn around, as on an axis.

2. to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.

3. to think about; consider.

   Synonyms:

   study, ponder

revolve British  

/ rɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate

2. (intr) to occur periodically or in cycles

3. to consider or be considered

4. (intr; foll by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon)

   Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

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noun

1. theatre a circular section of a stage that can be rotated by electric power to provide a scene change

Related Words

See turn.

Other Word Forms

• revolvable adjective
• revolvably adverb
• unrevolved adjective

Etymology

Origin of revolve

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revolven, from Latin revolvere “to roll back,” equivalent to re- re- + volvere “to roll, turn round”

Example Sentences

Those decisions would revolve around such factors as the availability of space on the vessel and local warehouses, as well as trucking services, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Routledge learned that the islanders’ “social existence” had once revolved around what she called the bird cult—an annual competition to “obtain the first egg of a certain migratory sea-bird.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Her days now revolve around planning when she can use electricity -- to "do laundry, wash, recharge batteries."

From Barron's

Pershing Square’s thesis revolves in part around AI boosting Meta’s content recommendations and personalized ads and potentially unlocking new opportunities in wearables or AI digital assistants for businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Staffordshire needs stability after this revolving door with three leaders in nine months, so we hope Reform can find at least one councillor from their ranks who is up to the job."

From BBC

Related Words

• rotate
• whirl