often attributive
: a device joining two parts so that one or both can pivot freely (as on a bolt or pin)
swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling
ˈswi-və-liŋ 
ˈswiv-liŋ
: to turn on or as if on a swivel
swiveled his eyes in various directions
: to swing or turn on or as if on a swivel
Examples of swivel in a Sentence
Noun
The gun was mounted on a swivel.
Verb
She swiveled in her seat to check the time.
She swiveled the chair around to face us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025
Kelly Clarkson Home Furniture Deals at Wayfair Kelly Clarkson Home furniture deals include a nearly $350-off loveseat with hundreds of glowing reviews or invest in a comfy new accent chair, like this upholstered swivel design.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
The telescope, which sits atop Kitt Peak in Arizona, is equipped with thousands of swiveling robotic eyes.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swivel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
With a simple swivel, the pieces spun around to transform the triangle into a square.
—Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025
Kelly Clarkson Home Furniture Deals at Wayfair Kelly Clarkson Home furniture deals include a nearly $350-off loveseat with hundreds of glowing reviews or invest in a comfy new accent chair, like this upholstered swivel design.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Treasury yields in the bond market, which often move with expectations for the U.S. economy’s strength, swiveled up and down after the report.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
The telescope, which sits atop Kitt Peak in Arizona, is equipped with thousands of swiveling robotic eyes.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swivel
Cite this Entry
“Swivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swivel. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swivel
1 of 2 noun
swiv·el
ˈswiv-əl
: a device joining two parts so that one or both can turn freely
swivel
2 of 2 verb
swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling
ˈswiv-(ə-)liŋ
: to turn on or as if on a swivel
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share