noun
Uncommon
pivot
PIHV-iht
Pivot (noun) means a central point or shaft on which something turns or balances. Example: “The door swings on a pivot set into the frame.”
noun
1
A central point or shaft on which something turns or balances.
"The door swings on a pivot set into the frame."
"A basketball player must keep one foot on the pivot when turning."
2
A person or thing that something else depends heavily on.
"The star striker was the pivot of the whole attacking strategy."
verb
1
To turn sharply on one spot, or to make a sudden major change in strategy or direction.
"She pivoted on her heel and walked out."
"The startup pivoted from a dating app to a job-matching platform after its first idea flopped."
How to use pivot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe point something turns around — physically (a hinge) or figuratively (a business changing direction).
Common pairings
pivot point
pivot on one foot
pivot to a new strategy
key pivot
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Word forms
- Plural
- pivots
- Third person singular
- pivots
- Past tense
- pivoted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The door swings on a _____ set into the frame.
Etymology
From Old French pivot, "hinge pin," possibly traced back to a Latin word for a pointed object.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pivot” mean?
The word “pivot” means a central point or shaft on which something turns or balances. In plain terms, the point something turns around — physically (a hinge) or figuratively (a business changing direction).
How do you pronounce “pivot”?
“Pivot” is pronounced PIHV-iht (/ˈpɪv.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pivot” in a sentence?
Here is “pivot” used in a sentence: “The door swings on a pivot set into the frame.”
What part of speech is “pivot”?
Depending on how it is used, “pivot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pivot” come from?
The word “pivot” comes from Latin. From Old French pivot, "hinge pin," possibly traced back to a Latin word for a pointed object.
Is “pivot” a common word?
“Pivot” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pivot” have?
“Pivot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a central point or shaft on which something turns or balances.
