rivet

[ riv-it ]
See synonyms for: rivetrivetedrivetingriveter on Thesaurus.com
noun

  1. 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.

  1. to fasten with a rivet or rivets.

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

  1. to fasten or fix firmly.

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

Origin of rivet

1
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

Other words from rivet

  • riv·et·er, noun
  • riv·et·less, adjective
  • un·riv·et·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rivet in a sentence

  • Another of the firm's commercials suggested the rivetting if iron lasts were used.

    Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell

  • My unfortunate misconception of painful facts may have been the means of rivetting those irons upon your limbs.

    Mark Hurdlestone | Susanna Moodie

  • These letters were addressed to Maccari's wife, and contained what is termed "rivetting" evidence.

    The Barrel Mystery | William J. (William James) Flynn

  • Rivetting is, perhaps, the best mode, as it is not liable to shake loose by the vibration of the hammer.

  • It may be attached to the iron of the armature, either by soldering, by rivetting, or by means of two small screws.

British Dictionary definitions for rivet

rivet

/ (ˈrɪvɪt) /

noun

  1. 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)

  1. to join by riveting

  2. to hammer in order to form into a head

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

Origin of rivet

1
C14: from Old French, from river to fasten, fix, of unknown origin

Derived forms of rivet

  • riveter, noun

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

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