pivot

[ˈpɪvət] noun, verb

Etymology: From French pivot (pin, hinge), possibly from Latin pipa (pipe)

Meanings

1. (n) A central point or pin on which something rotates or turns
2. (v) To turn or rotate around a central point
3. (n) A crucial person or factor in a situation
4. (v) To radically change direction or strategy

Example Sentences

• The door pivots smoothly on its new hinges.
• Silicon Valley became the pivot point of technological innovation.
• The company had to pivot its business model during the pandemic.
• Her role as team leader made her the pivot of the project.

Word Forms

• Pivotal (adj): critically important
• Pivoting (gerund/present participle)
• Pivoted (past tense/past participle)

Synonyms

• rotate
• swivel
• turn
• revolve
• shift
• change direction

Memory Tricks

1. Think "PI-vot" - like the mathematical π (pi), which is central to circle calculations, a pivot is a central point
2. Remember the famous "PIVOT!" scene from Friends TV show where Ross tries to move a couch around a corner
3. Visualize a basketball player's pivoting foot that stays fixed while the other foot moves

Common Collocations

• pivot point
• pivot table
• strategic pivot
• pivot toward/away from