revolve

verb

re·​volve ri-ˈvälv 

-ˈvȯlv,

 also  -ˈväv,

 or  -ˈvȯv

revolved; revolving

transitive verb

1

: to turn over at length in the mind : ponder

revolve a scheme

2

a

obsolete : to cause to go round in an orbit

b

: rotate sense 1

intransitive verb

1

: recur

2

a

: to ponder something

b

: to remain under consideration

ideas revolved in his mind

3

a

: to move in a curved path round a center or axis

b

: to turn or roll round on an axis

4

: to have or come to a specified focus : center

—usually used with around

the dispute revolved around wages

revolvable

ri-ˈväl-və-bəl 

-ˈvȯl-

 also  -ˈvä-və-

 or  -ˈvȯ-və-

adjective

Synonyms

• pivot
• roll
• rotate
• spin
• swing
• swirl
• swivel
• turn
• twirl
• twist
• wheel
• whirl

Examples of revolve in a Sentence

As the gear revolves, it turns the other gears.

The Earth revolves on its axis.

The software allows you to revolve images.

Recent Examples on the Web

Narwal also announced a trio of other robovacs, including a Freo Z10 robovac with mopping pads that revolve 180 times per minute, an all-in-one Narwal S30 mopping robovac with self-cleaning features, and a more affordable Freo Pro robovac-mop hybrid. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025

The company relies on revolving promissory note agreements with its president and a principal stockholder for funding. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 13 Dec. 2024

How a house became a character At the figurative center of the town is the Buendía household, ever expanding to accommodate the needs of its revolving members. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024

That said, focusing on paying down revolving debt is a good place to start. —Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revolven "to pass (of time), wind round, roll," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French revolver "to turn, turn over (in the mind)," borrowed from Latin revolvere "to roll back to a starting point, bring back round, (passive) travel in a circular course, return to a starting point," from re- re- + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing revolve

• revolve around

Kids Definition

revolve

verb

re·​volve ri-ˈvälv 

-ˈvȯlv

revolved; revolving

1

: to think over carefully

2

a

: to move in an orbit

b

: to turn on or as if on an axis : rotate

3

: recur sense 3

4

: to have as a main point

the argument revolved around wages

revolvable

-ˈväl-və-bəl 

-ˈvȯl-

adjective

Etymology

Middle English revolven "to turn over in the mind, cause to go around (on an axis)," from Latin revolvere "to roll back, cause to return," from re- "back, again" and volvere "to roll" — related to volume see Word History at volume