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
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Step 2: Thread your jig heads to the snap swivel at the end of each wire.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 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
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Noun
His neck appeared on a constant swivel, cranking tirelessly between catching a glance as to where Villa had possession and scanning for Tielemans.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Step 2: Thread your jig heads to the snap swivel at the end of each wire.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 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 15 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
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