swivel chair

American  

noun

1. a chair whose seat turns around horizontally on a swivel.

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swivel chair British  

noun

1. a chair, the seat of which is joined to the legs by a swivel and which thus may be spun round

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Etymology

Origin of swivel chair

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

swivel chair

Maddox Batson sits in a swivel chair in a West Hollywood recording studio on a recent evening, spinning idly as his mother and manager go over their plans for the next few days.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2026

“It’s almost like watching a jazz musician riffing,” Rauch said, describing a scene in which Larroquette had to deliver his lines while shooting backward in a swivel chair.

From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2023

In living rooms, a swivel chair bridges several functions, says Conner — it’s ready for conversation over here or binge-watching over there, which is very helpful in a small space.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2023

I sat in a swivel chair, put on the headset, and found myself overlooking a sea sparkling with reflected sunshine, a vast meadow swaying in whispered breeze.

From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2021

“You’re not going to be here that long. In fact”—he leaned back in his swivel chair and clamped his hands behind his head—“I don’t even want to know why you’re here.”

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli