26984 words

pivot

9 definitions • 13 examples
1
a fixed point supporting something that turns or balances
2
the central or most important person or thing in a situation:

Examples:

turn/revolve on a pivot The former guerrilla leader has become the pivot on which the country's emerging political stability turns/revolves (= it depends on him).
3
in basketball, an attacking player who usually stands with their back to the basket to catch the ball and give it to other attacking players:

Examples:

He's the most dominant pivot in the game.
4
to turn or twist:

Examples:

She pivots her left foot.
pivot on He pivoted on his heels and headed out.
Future deals will pivot on (= depend on) easing commercial conflicts.
5
in basketball or netball, to stand with one foot on the ground and move your other foot to allow you to turn without taking a step when you have the ball:

Examples:

Once you catch the ball you can pivot, but you must throw it to another player.
6
to change your opinions, statements, decisions, etc. so that they are different to what they were before:

Examples:

He has pivoted to bring himself in line with the rest of the candidates.
It was harder for Bush to pivot to the positive when so much of his campaign revolved around taking down Kerry.
7
to avoid talking about something by talking about something else:

Examples:

Several viewers were eager to hear what he had to say about jobs, and found the evasion glaring when he immediately pivoted to a prepackaged answer on education.
8
a fixed point supporting something which turns or balances, or a person or thing on which something else depends:

Examples:

Boston was the pivot of his emotional and intellectual life.
9
to turn or twist:

Examples:

[ T ] She pivots her left foot.
[ I ] He pivoted on his heels and headed out.
[ I ] Future deals will pivot on easing commercial conflicts (= they will depend on this).

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