noun
rivet
RIH-vuht
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.”
noun
1
A short metal pin used to permanently join two pieces of metal or other material by hammering or pressing one end flat.
"The bridge is held together with thousands of steel rivets."
verb
1
To fasten with rivets.
"The panels were riveted onto the hull."
2
To hold someone's complete attention.
"The final chapter riveted her from start to finish."
How to use rivet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal fastener used to permanently join materials, or (figuratively) to completely capture someone's attention.
Common pairings
rivets and bolts
riveted to the spot
riveted attention
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Word forms
- Plural
- rivets
- Third person singular
- rivets
- Past tense
- riveted, rivetted
Fill the gap
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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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Rhymes for rivet
See all rhymes for rivet →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.
