: a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head
riveted; riveting; rivets
1
: to fasten with or as if with rivets
2
: to upset the end or point of (something, such as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head
3
: to fasten or fix firmly
stood riveted by fright
4
: to attract and hold (something, such as a person's attention) completely
riveter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of rivet in a Sentence
Verb
The iron plates are riveted rather than welded.
everyone riveted their eyes on the trick that the magician was performing on stage
Recent Examples on the Web
George Petras, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024
Back then, anything that was made of leather with some rivets would be pigeonholed as strictly fetish wear, Bayne remembers, and there was little focus on the actual quality or design of the garment, which is what her brand was driven by.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
And the bake-off going on now is riveting the town.
—Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rivet 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
How is the bacterium 'eating' Titanic? Titanic’s hull is constructed of steel plates about an inch thick – steel is a combination of mostly iron and carbon – held together by rivets made of steel and wrought iron.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024
Back then, anything that was made of leather with some rivets would be pigeonholed as strictly fetish wear, Bayne remembers, and there was little focus on the actual quality or design of the garment, which is what her brand was driven by.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
Verb
Atlanta rap star Young Thug changed his plea to guilty Thursday in Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial, but averted prison time with probation, bringing a stunning close to a chapter of a case that has riveted court watchers for nearly two years.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
And the bake-off going on now is riveting the town.
—Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rivet
Articles Related to rivet
Dictionary Entries Near rivet
Cite this Entry
“Rivet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rivet. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rivet
1 of 2 noun
riv·et
ˈriv-ət 
: a metal bolt with a head at one end used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head
rivet
2 of 2 verb1
: to fasten with or as if with rivets
2
: to attract and hold (as one's attention) completely
riveter
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share