rivet

1 of 2

noun

riv·​et ˈri-vət How to pronounce rivet (audio)
: 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

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
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
How is the bacterium 'eating' Titanic? Titanic’s hull is constructed of steel plates about an inch thick – steel is a combination of mostly iron and carbon – held together by rivets made of steel and wrought iron. George Petras, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024 Back then, anything that was made of leather with some rivets would be pigeonholed as strictly fetish wear, Bayne remembers, and there was little focus on the actual quality or design of the garment, which is what her brand was driven by. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
Verb
Some people have been riveted by the drama (RamsRissa, NiHannah) and totally smitten with the love stories (TayGarr, and that is literally it). Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024 The two delivered, according to some, the most satisfying smooch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as Marvel's first kiss between two gay girl supers in its on screen history during the series’ riveting two-episode finale Wednesday night. Quispe López, Them, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rivet 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rivet was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rivet

Cite this Entry

“Rivet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rivet. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rivet

1 of 2 noun
riv·​et ˈriv-ət How to pronounce rivet (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on rivet

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