rivet

[ riv-it ]

/ ˈrɪv ɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rivet ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a metal pin for passing through holes in two or more plates or pieces to hold them together, usually made with a head at one end, the other end being hammered into a head after insertion.

verb (used with object), riv·et·ed, riv·et·ing or (especially British) riv·et·ted, riv·et·ting.

to fasten with a rivet or rivets.

to hammer or spread out the end of (a pin, bolt, etc.) in order to form a head and secure something; clinch.

to fasten or fix firmly.

to hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly.

Nearby words

riverscape, riverside, riverview, riverward, riverweed, rivet, rivet set, riveting, riviera, riviera beach, rivinus gland

Origin of rivet

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette < Old French rivet, derivative of river to attach; (v.) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun

Related forms

riv·et·er, nounriv·et·less, adjectiveun·riv·et·ed, adjectiveun·riv·et·ing, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for rivet

He looked at the thin sheet of metal ringed by rivet holes and he knew instantly what it was his wife had chanced upon.
How Amelia's Plane Was Found|Michael Daly|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Looked at in closeup, it reveals a row of popped rivets, with one rivet still partially stuck in place.
Picking Up Pieces From a Midair Explosion|Clive Irving|June 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Suddenly something in the bolt itself seemed to rivet his attention.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles|Agatha Christie
Her way was checked abruptly and every plate and rivet in her steel fabric groaned.
The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner|Wilbur Lawton

We mean for the illustrations—Mr. Rivet said you might put one in.
The Real Thing and Other Tales|Henry James
It is a fine, sensible clock that goes faithfully about its business unless hindered by the lack of a rivet or a drop of oil.
Christopher and the Clockmakers|Sara Ware Bassett
How they would exult if they could but break the rivet that makes of the two blades one resistless weapon!
Pages From an Old Volume of Life|Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

British Dictionary definitions for rivet

rivet

/ (ˈrɪvɪt) /

noun

a short metal pin for fastening two or more pieces together, having a head at one end, the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces

verb -ets, -eting or -eted (tr)

to join by riveting

to hammer in order to form into a head

(often passive) to cause to be fixed or held firmly, as in fascinated attention, horror, etcto be riveted to the spot

Derived Forms

riveter, noun

Word Origin for rivet

C14: from Old French, from river to fasten, fix, of unknown origin

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