rivet
Rivet (noun) means a short metal pin used to permanently join two pieces of metal or other material by hammering or pressing one end flat. Example: “The bridge is held together with thousands of steel rivets.”
How to use rivet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal fastener used to permanently join materials, or (figuratively) to completely capture someone's attention.
Word forms
riveted past tense, rivetted past tense, rivets plural, Rivets plural, rivets singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bridge is held together with thousands of steel _____.
Etymology
From Old French rivet, from river ("to fasten"), ultimately traced back to Latin ripa ("riverbank") — the same root that gives us "river" and "rival."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “rivet” mean?
The word “rivet” means a short metal pin used to permanently join two pieces of metal or other material by hammering or pressing one end flat. In plain terms, a metal fastener used to permanently join materials, or (figuratively) to completely capture someone's attention.
How do you pronounce “rivet”?
“Rivet” is pronounced RIH-vuht (/ˈɹɪvət/ in IPA).
How do you use “rivet” in a sentence?
Here is “rivet” used in a sentence: “The bridge is held together with thousands of steel rivets.”
What part of speech is “rivet”?
Depending on how it is used, “rivet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rivet” come from?
The word “rivet” comes from Latin. From Old French rivet, from river ("to fasten"), ultimately traced back to Latin ripa ("riverbank") — the same root that gives us "river" and "rival.".
How many meanings does “rivet” have?
“Rivet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short metal pin used to permanently join two pieces of metal or other material by hammering or pressing one end flat.