spun
ˈspən 
; spinning
; spinning
1
: to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread
2
: to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid
—used especially of a spider or insect
4
: to move swiftly especially on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle
6
a
of an airplane
: to fall in a spin
b
: to plunge helplessly and out of control
7
: to engage in spin control (as in politics)
1
a
: to draw out and twist into yarns or threads
b
: to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material
2
: to form (something, such as a web or cocoon) by spinning
3
a
: to stretch out or extend (something, such as a story) lengthily : protract
—usually used with out
b
: to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination
spin a yarn
4
: to cause to whirl : impart spin to
spin a top
5
: to shape into threadlike form in manufacture
also
: to manufacture by a whirling process
6
: to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play
spin some discs
7
: to present (information) with a particular spin
spin the statistics
1
a
: the act of spinning or twirling something
also
: an instance of spinning or of spinning something
doing axels and spins
an assortment of spins and lobs
b
: the whirling motion imparted (as to a ball or top) by spinning
c
: an excursion or ride in a vehicle especially on wheels
go for a spin
2
a
: an aerial maneuver or flight condition consisting of a combination of roll and yaw with the longitudinal axis of the airplane inclined steeply downward
b
: a plunging descent or downward spiral
c
: a state of mental confusion
all in a spin
3
a
: a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
b
: the angular momentum associated with such rotation whose magnitude is quantized and which may assume either of two possible directions
also
: the angular momentum of a system of such particles derived from the spins and orbital motions of the particles
4
a
: a usually ingenious twist
puts an Asian spin on the pasta dishes
b(1)
: a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion
put the most favorable spin on the findings
(2)
Synonyms
Examples of spin in a Sentence
Verb
The car hit a patch of ice and spun into the wall.
The children were spinning a top.
I tried to stand up but the room was spinning.
She spun the silk into thread.
They spun the wool into yarn.
Noun
the direction of the Earth's spin
The ice-skater executed graceful jumps and spins.
A baseball thrown with spin is harder to hit.
She put spin on the ball.
The bowler put a sideways spin on the ball.
Each author puts a new spin on the story.
They claim to report the news with no spin.
He took me for a spin in his new car.
Would you like to go for a spin?
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Gallery Desert House April 12-14 DJ Chantel Jeffries will headline poolside celebrations Friday, DJ Austin Millz will headline the party on Saturday, and house DJs Viva Latina and DJ Millie will spin beats all weekend long at Desert House by Gallery Media Group.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Amazon's fashion department is chock-full of pieces spun from the popular material known for its breathability, versatility, and sweat-wicking capabilities.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
As the moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth spins on its axis, that shadow moves across the surface of the planet at about 1,600 km/h (1,000 mph).
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
The large storm system, which has walloped the nation with severe weather conditions since the weekend, spun up tornadoes in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia this week, damaging businesses and leveling homes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
One time wasn’t enough for Future and Metro Boomin as the Atlanta rapper-producer duo are ready to spin the block again later this month.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Come summer, a cocktail bar pops up on Thursday nights, a DJ spins the soundtrack, and multidisciplinary artists stage performances.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Some Truth Social fans have spun the company’s entry into the public market as a fresh start.
—William Turton, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024
Holmes is the latest star to take the tennis shoes for a spin, wearing them on a walk in New York City.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024
The crew then headed to Rome for more Challengers press, and Zendaya ditched the extensions in favor of her shoulder-length lob once more, this time with a cute retro spin.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Save any herbs languishing in your refrigerator with this smart spin on pesto.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
An adjacent wing is home to the cavernous Fiera restaurant that churns out pan-global dishes with ultramodern spins.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
The tour storyline puts a fun spin on Springsteen postponing several of his 2023 tour dates due to peptic ulcer disease.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Protein: Add crispy bacon, a fried egg, or mix and match deli meats for a hearty spin.
Herbs: Fresh basil, cilantro, parsley or other herbs can add a bright freshness to the sandwiches.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
One large influence is the spin of Earth’s core, which has been slowing down, according to the study.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
Couples who are lucky enough to snag seats are served Nigerian food by owner-chef Ayo Balogun, set to the tunes of a record player spinning 1970s Afrobeats.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Gallery Desert House April 12-14 DJ Chantel Jeffries will headline poolside celebrations Friday, DJ Austin Millz will headline the party on Saturday, and house DJs Viva Latina and DJ Millie will spin beats all weekend long at Desert House by Gallery Media Group.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
Amazon's fashion department is chock-full of pieces spun from the popular material known for its breathability, versatility, and sweat-wicking capabilities.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
As the moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth spins on its axis, that shadow moves across the surface of the planet at about 1,600 km/h (1,000 mph).
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
The large storm system, which has walloped the nation with severe weather conditions since the weekend, spun up tornadoes in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia this week, damaging businesses and leveling homes.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
One time wasn’t enough for Future and Metro Boomin as the Atlanta rapper-producer duo are ready to spin the block again later this month.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Come summer, a cocktail bar pops up on Thursday nights, a DJ spins the soundtrack, and multidisciplinary artists stage performances.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Some Truth Social fans have spun the company’s entry into the public market as a fresh start.
—William Turton, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
Read more Brittany Mahomes Is Inventing the Mob WAG Aesthetic Before Our Very Eyes
Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, never fails to put her own spin on game-day style.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024
Holmes is the latest star to take the tennis shoes for a spin, wearing them on a walk in New York City.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024
The crew then headed to Rome for more Challengers press, and Zendaya ditched the extensions in favor of her shoulder-length lob once more, this time with a cute retro spin.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Apr. 2024
Save any herbs languishing in your refrigerator with this smart spin on pesto.
—Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
An adjacent wing is home to the cavernous Fiera restaurant that churns out pan-global dishes with ultramodern spins.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
The tour storyline puts a fun spin on Springsteen postponing several of his 2023 tour dates due to peptic ulcer disease.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Protein: Add crispy bacon, a fried egg, or mix and match deli meats for a hearty spin.
Herbs: Fresh basil, cilantro, parsley or other herbs can add a bright freshness to the sandwiches.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
One large influence is the spin of Earth’s core, which has been slowing down, according to the study.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near spin
Cite this Entry
“Spin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spin. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spin
1 of 2 verb
spun
ˈspən
; spinning
; spinning
1
: to draw out and twist into yarn or thread
spun the fleece into thread
2
a
: to produce by drawing out and twisting fibers
spin thread
b
: to form threads or a web or cocoon by giving off a sticky fluid that quickly hardens into silk
3
: to turn or cause to turn round and round rapidly
4
: to feel as if in a whirl
my head was spinning
5
: to tell using the imagination
spin a yarn
6
: to move swiftly on wheels or in a vehicle
7
: to make, shape, or produce by or as if by spinning
spun sugar
spin
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act of spinning something
b
: a rapid whirling motion
2
: a short trip in a vehicle
go for a spin
3
a
: a plunging descent or downward spiral
b
: a state of mental confusion
4
: a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation
Medical Definition
spin
noun1
: a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
2
: the angular momentum which is associated with spin, whose magnitude is quantized, and which may assume either of two possible directions
also
: the angular momentum of a system of elementary particles derived from their spins and orbital motions see spin echo, spin label
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