Pivot: meaning, definitions and examples

🔄

Add to dictionary

pivot

[ ˈpɪvət ]

^{Context #1}

mathematics

The central or most important part around which other things revolve or are arranged.

Synonyms

center, focus, hub

Examples of usage

The company has made the smartphone the pivot of its entertainment strategy.
The pivot of the discussion was the impact of climate change on agriculture.

^{Context #2}

basketball

A movement in which a player holding the ball may move in any direction with one foot while keeping the other foot at its point of contact with the floor.

Synonyms

rotate, spin, turn

Examples of usage

The player executed a perfect pivot to avoid the defender.
He used a pivot to create space for a shot.

^{Context #3}

business

To change direction or course quickly.

Synonyms

adjust, reposition, shift

Examples of usage

The company decided to pivot its marketing strategy towards a younger demographic.
In response to customer feedback, the startup pivoted to focus on a different product.

Translations

Translations of the word "pivot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pivô

🇮🇳 केंद्र बिंदु

🇩🇪 Dreh- und Angelpunkt

🇮🇩 poros

🇺🇦 вісь

🇵🇱 oś

🇯🇵 ピボット

🇫🇷 pivot

🇪🇸 pivote

🇹🇷 mil

🇰🇷 피봇

🇸🇦 محور

🇨🇿 čep

🇸🇰 čap

🇨🇳 枢轴

🇸🇮 os

🇮🇸 snúpunktur

🇰🇿 ось

🇬🇪 ღერძი

🇦🇿 ox

🇲🇽 pivote

Word origin

The word 'pivot' originated from the 14th-century Old French word 'pivote', meaning 'hinge or pin'. It later evolved in English to refer to a central point around which something turns or revolves. In business, the term gained popularity through the concept of 'pivot or persevere', meaning to change direction or strategy if necessary to achieve success. In sports like basketball, the pivot move became crucial for players to create space and evade defenders. Today, 'pivot' is widely used across various fields to indicate a shift or rotation.