swivel
Americannoun
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swivels
plural
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a fastening device that allows the thing fastened to turn around freely upon it, especially to turn in a full circle.
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such a device consisting of two parts, each of which turns around independently, as a compound link of a chain, one part of which turns freely in the other by means of a headed pin or the like.
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a pivoted support allowing a gun to turn around in a horizontal plane.
-
a swivel gun.
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a device attached to a loom and used as a shuttle to weave extra threads in the production of small figures, especially dots.
verb (used with object)
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swivels,
present (3rd person singular)
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swiveled,
past participle, past
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swivelled,
past participle, past (especially British)
-
swiveling,
present participle
-
swivelling
present participle (especially British)
-
to turn or pivot on or as if on a swivel.
He swiveled his chair around.
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to fasten by a swivel; furnish with a swivel.
verb (used without object)
-
swivels,
present (3rd person singular)
-
swiveled,
past participle, past
-
swivelled,
past participle, past (especially British)
-
swiveling,
present participle
-
swivelling
present participle (especially British)
noun
-
a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely
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such a device made of two parts which turn independently, such as a compound link of a chain
-
-
a pivot on which is mounted a gun that may be swung from side to side in a horizontal plane
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Also called: swivel gun. the gun itself
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verb
-
to turn or swing on or as if on a pivot
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(tr) to provide with, secure by, or support with a swivel
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
swivelsimple
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swivelssimple
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have swiveledperfect
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have swivelledperfect
-
has swiveledperfect
-
has swivelledperfect
-
am swivelingprogressive
-
am swivellingprogressive
-
are swivelingprogressive
-
are swivellingprogressive
-
is swivelingprogressive
-
is swivellingprogressive
-
have been swivelingperfect progressive
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have been swivellingperfect progressive
-
has been swivelingperfect progressive
-
has been swivellingperfect progressive
Past
-
swiveledsimple
-
swivelledsimple
-
had swiveledperfect
-
had swivelledperfect
-
was swivelingprogressive
-
was swivellingprogressive
-
were swivelingprogressive
-
were swivellingprogressive
-
had been swivelingperfect progressive
-
had been swivellingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of swivel
1275–1325; Middle English (noun), equivalent to swiv- (weak stem of Old English swīfan to revolve; cognate with Old Norse svīfa to turn) + -el instrumental suffix
Explanation
A swivel is a device that allows something to turn freely. Desk chairs are often designed so the seat can swivel atop the base. In the hospital, the TV is usually mounted on a swivel so that patients can adjust it. Swivel comes from a middle English word, swive, meaning to sweep. It’s often used to describe gun mountings, like on a tank or a boat where a gun is fastened down but can still be swung around in any direction. But people can also swivel. If you were in the middle of robbing a bank and you heard a noise behind you, you’d probably swivel around quickly to see what it was.
Vocabulary lists containing swivel
Prisoner B-3087
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When You Reach Me
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The BFG
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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:
It defines how predictably and agreeably a car will swivel its hips, under braking and throttle, without spinning out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Behind her, an elegantly decorated living room can be seen, with a large L-shaped gray couch set up against one wall opposite two cozy-looking white swivel chairs.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 15, 2026
Similarly, the accompanying swivel chairs from HD Buttercup and the barstool seats in the kitchen are upholstered in Bengal and Husky-durable textiles that camouflage their rescues pet hair.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2025
Similarly, the accompanying swivel chairs from HD Buttercup and the barstool seats in the kitchen are upholstered in Bengal and Husky-durable textiles that camouflage pet hair.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2025
Mr. Ali leaned back in his swivel chair and bumped his head against his wall.
From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore
As the hulking antenna swivels into action, screens inside the control room light up with the names of objects the radar system detects: stars, satellites and abandoned rocket bodies.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
There’s a light, power outlets including a USB-C port, a small mirror and a TV that swivels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
Next to him, 67-year-old teacher and musician Alan Akaka swivels his desk chair from his computer screen to face Cortez with a pop quiz: “Have you been practicing with the music?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2024
Then the camera swivels to show us none other than Andrew Dice Clay, tentatively muttering in a “Guys and Dolls” accent, “You wanted a picture in front of the tree with me?”
From New York Times ● Jan. 19, 2024
He swivels the chair and takes a bite of his waffle.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
My pod was roomy, with solid seat padding and a large TV screen that swiveled.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026
And then, just like the wartime industries of L.A., the peacetime ports swiveled to more commercial operations.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2025
Suddenly, the head of a gigantic doll swiveled around and she froze, but it was too late.
From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
They then swiveled their wings forward to continue on their way.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2023
Even when he tried not to, his head still swiveled as if tugged by a magnet, inevitably dragging his eyes over.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
The on-loan Brighton forward, who replaced the injured Alessia Russo in the squad, controlled a long ball, swivelled and volleyed it into the top corner to make it 3-2.
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2025
Mr Trump swivelled in his chair and watched as his attorney railed against the case, occasionally closing his eyes as he has often been seen to do.
From BBC ● May 28, 2024
But Vincent Kompany's hosts hit back immediately after the break as Lyle Foster swivelled and struck a calm finish for his first top-flight goal.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2023
Verona took the lead in the ninth minute when Lazović gathered the ball with his back to goal and swivelled to fire into the roof of the net.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 9, 2023
He swivelled his huge right ear until it was parallel with the ground, then he placed Sophie gently inside it.
From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl
Americans are swiveling their heads between Iran and Venezuela and wondering what the turmoil in these countries means for the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026
I looked like an owl, my head swiveling on my neck, trying to take it all in.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2024
Heading downhill, drivers from 46th are supposed to use a stop sign, while swiveling their heads to look uphill, before proceeding onto northbound Marine View.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2023
What isn’t allowed is big-ticket items - “appliances, for example,” he said, swiveling to point at the refrigerators behind him.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 28, 2023
Overhead, he noticed a security camera swiveling toward him.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
Erling Haaland had been fouled moments before regaining his footing, swivelling and sending Grealish through.
From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2023
Soon after, McGregor sent a fizzing effort just wide of the top corner and a swivelling Giakoumakis then volleyed off target.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2022
After some slow carousel passing involving Nathan Aké and Eric García, suddenly De Bruyne tapped a pass to Mahrez and his release had Sterling swivelling and shooting straight at Schmeichel.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 27, 2020
A figure in head-to-toe metallic coverings braced one limb against the door frame, swivelling its helmeted head back and forth at us.
From Nature ● Jan. 28, 2020
The golden ship that had led him here was swivelling in the wind.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
