revolving

[ ri-vol-ving ]

/ rɪˈvɒl vɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolving ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

that revolves: a revolving table top.

Machinery. noting or pertaining to a radial engine whose cylinders revolve around a stationary crankshaft, as the engine of a helicopter.

Nearby words

Origin of revolving

First recorded in 1690–1700; revolve + -ing²

Related formsre·volv·ing·ly, adverbnon·re·volv·ing, adjectiveun·re·volv·ing, adjective

revolve

[ ri-volv ]

/ rɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used without object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

to move in a circular or curving course or orbit: The earth revolves around the sun.

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), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

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.

Origin of revolve

1350–1400; Middle English revolven < Latin revolvere to roll back, equivalent to re- re- + volvere to roll, turn round

SYNONYMS FOR revolve

1. orbit, circle. 2. See turn. 8. ponder, study.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolve ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·volv·a·ble, adjectivere·volv·a·bly, adverbun·re·volved, adjective

Can be confusedrevolve rotate¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for revolving

Fed up of being surrounded by a revolving cast of affluent crashing bores, I vowed to get out more.
The Hell of the Hamptons: Why the Exclusive Hotspot Is a Mind-Numbing Drag|Robert Gold|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Evolve a revolving roundtable of women, or men, with diverse, unpredictable views.
Is There Life Left in ‘The View’?|Tim Teeman|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Outside, to the left of the revolving doors, is where he would smoke his after-dinner cigarette.
Michael Hastings' Hunger for Life|Jack Gray|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His last few years have been a revolving door of corruption, scandal, resignation, and reinstatement.
The U.N.’s Next President Is a Gay-Hating Friend of Uganda’s Corrupt Dictator|Jay Michaelson|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“At approximately 0240 hours, Mark Shand attempted to re-enter the hotel through the revolving doors,” Grimpel told BNO.
Camilla's Brother Died After Falling In Gramercy Park Hotel Revolving Doors|Tom Sykes|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The rapid turning of the inner tub for three minutes throws the clothing and water in them to the outside of the revolving center.
Mechanical Devices in the Home|Edith Louise Allen
At that moment the revolving searchlight on Monte Mario passed over the room.
The Eternal City|Hall Caine
He stood for a few moments, revolving the question in his own mind.
A Life's Secret|Mrs. Henry Wood
The squirrel in the revolving cage thinks it is progressing; Man is in a revolving cage.
Egoists|James Huneker
In revolving these precautions nothing occurred that was new.
Edgar Huntley|Charles Brockden Brown

British Dictionary definitions for revolving

revolving

/ (rɪˈvɒlvɪŋ) /

adjective

moving around a central axisrevolving door

(of a fund) constantly added to from income from its investments to offset outgoing payments

(of a letter of credit, load, etc) available to be repeatedly drawn on by the beneficiary provided that a specified amount is never exceeded

Derived Formsrevolvingly, adverb

revolve

/ (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

noun

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

Derived Formsrevolvable, adjectiverevolvably, adverb

Word Origin for revolve

C14: from Latin revolvere, from re- + volvere to roll, wind

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

Word Origin and History for revolving

revolving

adj.

1690s, present participle adjective from revolve (v.). Revolving door attested from 1856 in industrial processes, 1896 in buildings.

revolve

late 14c., "to change direction, bend around, turn (the eyes) back," from Old French revolver and directly from Latin revolvere "roll back, unroll, unwind; happen again, return; go over, repeat," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + volvere "to roll" (see volvox). In 15c., "to turn over (in the mind or heart), meditate." Meaning "travel around a central point" first recorded 1660s (earlier "cause to travel in an orbit around a central point," mid-15c.). Related: Revolved; revolving.

revolving

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of revolving

revolve

verb (used without object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

verb (used with object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

Origin of revolve

Examples from the Web for revolving

revolving

adjective

revolve

verb

noun

Word Origin for revolve

revolving

revolve