revolve

UK: /rɪˈvɒlv/ US: /rɪˈvɑlv/ ,(ri volv′)

Inflections of 'revolve' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

revolves

v 3rd person singular

revolving

v pres p

revolved

v past

revolved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•volve /rɪˈvɑlv/   v., -volved, -volv•ing. 

1. to move in a curving course:
   [no object] The earth revolves around the sun.
2. to turn around, as around a center point: [no object]
   The wheel revolved slowly.
   [~ + object]
   He revolved the beads around in his hand.
3. to focus or center on:
   [~ + around + object] The discussion revolved around a new plan to increase profits.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•volve  (ri volv′), v., -volved, -volv•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to move in a circular or curving course or orbit:
   The earth revolves around the sun.
2. to turn around or rotate, as on an axis:
   The wheel revolves slowly.
3. to proceed or occur in a round or cycle;
   come around again in the process of time;
   recur.
4. to be revolved in the mind.
5. to focus or center on.

v.t. 

6. to cause to turn around, as on an axis.
7. to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.
8. to think about;
   consider.

• Latin revolvere to roll back, equivalent. to re- re- + volvere to roll, turn round
• Middle English revolven 1350–1400

re•volv′a•ble, adj. 
re•volv′a•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. orbit, circle.
• 2. See turn. 
• 8. ponder, study.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

revolve / rɪˈvɒlv/ verb

1. to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate
2. (intransitive) to occur periodically or in cycles
3. to consider or be considered
4. (intr; followed by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon): Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

noun

1. a circular section of a stage that can be rotated by electric power to provide a scene change

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin revolvere, from re- + volvere to roll, wind

reˈvolvable adjective