revolve

American

[ri-volv] / rɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used without object)

revolved, revolving

to move in a circular or curving course or orbit.

The earth revolves around the sun.

Synonyms:

circle, orbit
to turn around or rotate, as on an axis.

The wheel revolves slowly.
to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.
to be revolved in the mind.
to focus or center on.

verb (used with object)

revolved, revolving

to cause to turn around, as on an axis.
to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.
to think about; consider.

Synonyms:

study, ponder

revolve British

/ rɪˈvɒlv /

verb

to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate
(intr) to occur periodically or in cycles
to consider or be considered
(intr; foll by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon)

Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Rather, Japan has had a revolving door of prime ministers.

From BBC

The revolving sushi bar chain lifted prices after receiving survey feedback from diners on Kura Sushi’s value compared with competitors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wall Street seems to agree: Susquehanna analysts in January made the case for Affirm to take market share from revolving credit over time.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023