rivet
Americannoun
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rivets
plural
verb (used with object)
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rivets,
present (3rd person singular)
-
riveted,
past participle, past
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riveting
present participle
-
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.
noun
verb
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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, etc
to be riveted to the spot
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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rivetsimple
-
rivetssimple
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have rivetedperfect
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has rivetedperfect
-
am rivetingprogressive
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are rivetingprogressive
-
is rivetingprogressive
-
have been rivetingperfect progressive
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has been rivetingperfect progressive
Past
-
rivetedsimple
-
had rivetedperfect
-
was rivetingprogressive
-
were rivetingprogressive
-
had been rivetingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of rivet
First recorded in 1350–1400; (noun) Middle English revette, rivette, from Old French rivet, derivative of river “to attach”; (verb) Middle English revetten, derivative of the noun
Explanation
A rivet is a metal fastener, a bolt-like device that holds together two pieces of metal or fabric. The round metal fasteners on your favorite pair of jeans are rivets. Older buildings with metal frames like the Eiffel Tower are held together with rivets, and so are some bridges and military vehicles. Furniture upholstery often involves rivets, too. When you use a rivet to fasten, you can say you rivet — and similarly, to hold attention or captivate is also to rivet. The Old French root is river, "to clench or fasten."
Vocabulary lists containing rivet
Esperanza Rising
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"The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury
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And Then There Were None
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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.
See Examples For:
"On the fuselage, everything is done manually, so every hole, every rivet you see on the fuselage is being done manually," Operations Director Victor Ocadiz told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
In a letter addressed to leaders of the Senate, Homendy said the door plug which failed had been opened so rivet repair work could be done in September last year.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2024
Dealers will either install a rivet plate to reinforce the door latch arms or will provide a replacement door depending on the level of damage.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 26, 2024
I want them to live on a healthy planet, and that’s why I’m holding my rivet in.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2023
They climbed into the dish and placed duct tape over every seam and rivet.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
An island paradise has become a logistics hub for shipping microchips, optical instruments and aerospace rivets and bolts to Russia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Small amounts of iron from parts such as rivets and other fasteners mix into the recycled metal.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 10, 2026
Unique details like an ornate leather saddle patch and turquoise buttons and rivets add that signature LV touch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2024
The US government's review of the January blowout found that bolts meant to fasten the panel were removed at Boeing's factory in Washington, apparently to fix damaged rivets, and were never re-installed.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2024
There on the big table, covered with a black cloth with gold fringes, lay Rosa’s white coffin with its silver rivets.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
The year began with a news story that riveted the country, at least as much as any story can in our attention-fragmented era.
From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026
Elle knows this because she studies fashion magazines with the same riveted attention she devotes to preparing for the LSATs, so she can score the 179 she needs to qualify for admission consideration.
From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026
And the eyes of the world remain riveted to the case - while global sympathies remain with Guthrie's family.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
Cummins was in the moment, time suspended, her focus riveted on her students.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026
For a moment I stood there, my eyes riveted upon the door, then I turned, the glass hot in my hand, my face feeling as though it would explode.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
But I will admit that Russel Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, and Shailene Woodley all deliver riveting performances.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
Young Norman is riveting as the increasingly dastardly king.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
It’s really hard to presume anything, one of the reasons that makes it a riveting watch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
The World Cup was a riveting first chapter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
It was absolutely riveting to watch the simple activities of people out in the world: old men sitting in the sun, women doing their shopping, people walking their dogs.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
