rivet

1 of 2

noun

riv·​et ˈri-vət 

: a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head

rivet

2 of 2

verb

riveted; riveting; rivets

transitive verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with rivets

2

: to upset the end or point of (something, such as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head

3

: to fasten or fix firmly

stood riveted by fright

4

: to attract and hold (something, such as a person's attention) completely

riveter noun

Synonyms

Verb

• center
• concentrate
• fasten
• focus
• train

Examples of rivet in a Sentence

Verb

The iron plates are riveted rather than welded.

everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Infrastructure systems braced for the worst Computer specialist and grassroots organizer Paloma O'Riley compared the scale and urgency of Y2K prep to telling somebody to change out a rivet on the Golden Gate Bridge. —Jack Mitchell, NPR, 28 Dec. 2024

Keeping the history of the brand always in mind, Iannone reworked the tool box used in Maranello for a new trunk bag peppered with tiny rivets and metal fringe, employing leather that is given a second life. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024

Verb

The current drone mania also echoes the Chinese spy balloon incident that riveted the country in 2023. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

What’s happening in entertainment TV and streaming From the moment fatal shots were fired outside a New York City hotel, the US has been riveted by the search for the UnitedHealthcare CEO killer. —Andrew Torgan, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, clinch on a nail, rivet, from Old French, from river to attach, rivet, probably from rive border, edge, bank, from Latin ripa

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rivet

1 of 2 noun

riv·​et ˈriv-ət 

: a metal bolt with a head at one end used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head

rivet

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with rivets

2

: to attract and hold (as one's attention) completely

riveter noun