rev

1 of 4

noun

ˈrev 

1

: a revolution of a motor

2

: revolution per minute

—usually used in plural

rev

2 of 4

verb

revved; revving

transitive verb

1

a

: to step up the number of revolutions per minute of

—often used with up

rev up the engine

b

: increase

—used with up

rev up production

2

: to drive or operate especially at high speed

—often used with up

3

: to make more active or effective

—used with up

revving up the economy

4

: to stir up : excite

—usually used with up

revved up the kids before bedtime

intransitive verb

1

: to operate at an increased speed of revolution

—usually used with up

2

: to increase in amount or activity

—usually used with up

the campaign revved up

3

: to become more excited especially in anticipation

—usually used with up

the partygoers were revving up

rev

3 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

revenue

2

reverse

3

review; reviewed

4

revised; revision

5

revolution

Rev

4 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1

Revelation

2

reverend

Synonyms

Verb

• arouse
• encourage
• excite
• fire (up)
• impassion
• incite
• instigate
• move
• pique
• provoke
• spark
• stimulate
• stir

Examples of rev in a Sentence

Verb

the team was revved up by the coach's do-or-die locker room speech

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With its petite displacement and no hybrid-electric assist, the twin-turbo Nettuno saves its best punch for mid-to-upper rev ranges, including a generous 531 ft lbs of torque between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. —Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2025

The throttle response is increased, with a higher rev limit, and the exhaust is (noticeably) louder. —James Morris, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Verb

Will Evel Knievel be revving his engines this summer? —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025

Kraft revved his engine and raced back to the scene, drove over the median and struck Campbell, 39, with his car, sending her flying several feet as others scattered to avoid the speeding vehicle, witnesses told police. —Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for revolution

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1920, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing rev

• rev up

Rhymes for rev

• dev
• lev
• maglev

Kids Definition

rev

1 of 2 noun

ˈrev 

: a revolution of a motor

rev

2 of 2 verb

revved; revving

1

a

: to increase the revolutions per minute of (a motor)

b

: increase

—used with up

rev up production

2

: to make more active or effective

—used with up

needed to rev up the campaign

3

: excite sense 1

—usually used with up

revved the kids up