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

Banks can help make their paychecks go further without driving revolving debt by offering a combination of bridge loans to payday, overdraft fee waivers and pay-by-bank. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Compounding matters, consumers who turned to revolving debt like credit cards to keep up are having to cope with higher payments following interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve to tame inflation. —Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2024

Claridge’s 269 rooms and suites are anything but cookie-cutter, with 26 categories, ranging from the Superior Room to the palatial new Penthouse, decked out with four bedrooms, green onyx fireplaces, a revolving couch, and the world’s largest Damien Hirst private collection. —Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2024

In August, revolving debt fell to 1.2%, the Fed’s data suggests. —Rachel Dalloo, Quartz, 8 Oct. 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