What does swivel mean?
Swivel means to turn or rotate smoothly around an axis. As a verb, it describes a person, object, or mechanism changing orientation while often remaining attached to a central support: a camera swivels, a seat swivels, or a crane swivels overhead. As a noun, a swivel is a rotating joint or fitting that allows connected parts to move independently while preserving their connection. The word is especially common in descriptions of office chairs, cameras, television mounts, tools, vehicles, and industrial machinery. Unlike a simple turn, a swivel usually implies rotation around a relatively fixed axis. Its mechanical associations give it a practical, functional character, while its use for cameras and chairs is familiar in everyday speech. Swivel is used in both British and American English, with spelling variants in inflected forms such as swiveled and swivelled.
To turn or rotate smoothly on an axis.
"The operator swiveled the camera toward the audience."
Common in technical and descriptive contexts, especially for cameras, seats, cranes, and mechanisms.
A joint, fitting, or support that allows one part to rotate relative to another; also, the act of rotating in this way.
"The chair is mounted on a sturdy swivel."
The mechanical sense is common in furniture, audiovisual equipment, vehicles, and machinery.
Used for multiple rotating joints, fittings, supports, or mechanisms.
"The technician checked the swivels before the machinery was powered on."
A swivel lets a load turn without the whole support having to turn with it—a small idea behind many cameras, chairs, and mechanical joints.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swivel come from?
Swivel developed in Middle English from a Germanic word associated with turning, swinging, or moving in a circle. The related English verb swive and the older variant sweeve preserve the same broad verbal idea. In later usage, the word was extended from the action of turning to the mechanical joint or fitting that makes such rotation possible.
Related word forms
How swivel is actually used
The verb is common in descriptions of cameras, monitors, seats, and mechanical parts. As a noun, swivel often refers to a joint or mounting that permits rotation; the word is somewhat more technical than general 'turn' but widely understood.
Easily confused with swivel
A swivel rotates on an axis, often while its supporting position stays fixed, whereas a swing moves back and forth or freely from a fixed point.