Revolve: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when something moves in a circular path around another object or point. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.

Describing an object spinning around its own center or axis. Often used in mechanical and scientific contexts.

• The wheels rotate smoothly.
• The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours.

Often used to describe motion in a circular path, can also be used metaphorically to describe surrounding or enclosing something.

• The hawk circled the prey before diving down.
• The debate circled around the same points without reaching a conclusion.

Primarily used in an astronomical or technical context to describe the path one object takes around another due to gravitational forces.

• The satellite orbits the Earth every 90 minutes.
• Pluto has a highly elliptical orbit around the Sun.

Use in scientific or formal contexts when describing an object that moves around another object.

• The Earth revolves around the Sun.
• The seasons change as the planet revolves in its orbit.

Use when describing an object spinning on its axis, often in mechanical or scientific contexts.

• The tires need to be rotated every few months.
• The Earth rotates once every 24 hours.

Use in informal or casual contexts to describe rapid circular movement, often for smaller objects.

• The toy top spins really fast.
• He can spin a basketball on his finger.

Use in everyday language to describe changing direction or orientation, not necessarily in a full circle.

• Turn left at the next intersection.
• Can you turn the knob to the right?