# pivot

/ˈpɪvət/ (US) · /pˈɪvət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pivot
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to turn on a spot

verb · CEFR B2

to turn your body or an object while staying in one place.

For teachers: to rotate or turn on or as if on a central point. Intransitive use is common in physical descriptions.

- The dancer had to pivot on one foot to face the back of the stage.
- The heavy telescope is designed to pivot smoothly on its base, allowing astronomers to track celestial bodies across the night sky with minimal effort.

### 2. to change strategy

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to quickly change your plans or way of doing things, especially in business.

For teachers: to fundamentally change the direction or strategy of a business or project in response to market feedback or new data.

- The company decided to pivot to online sales after their physical shops closed.
- Recognising that their original software was too complex for the average user, the startup decided to pivot toward a simplified mobile-first interface.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'away from'.

### 3. a central point

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a pin or point that something turns on.

For teachers: a short shaft or pin on which something turns or oscillates.

- The gate was heavy, so the metal pivot at the bottom had to be very strong.
- The engineer inspected the central pivot of the bridge, ensuring that the rotational mechanism remained free of corrosion and debris.

### 4. a key person or thing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the most important person or thing that a situation depends on.

For teachers: a person or thing on which something else depends or turns; a central or crucial factor.

- The young midfielder became the pivot of the team's entire attacking strategy.
- The trade agreement served as the pivot for the region's economic recovery, providing the stability necessary for long-term foreign investment.

### 5. a change in message

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a change in what a politician says to appeal to more voters.

For teachers: a strategic shift in a political candidate's messaging, typically toward the centre, during a general election campaign.

- After the primary, the candidate made a pivot to talk more about the economy.
- Political analysts noted the senator's subtle pivot toward moderate voters in the final weeks before the general election.

## Examples

- The startup had to pivot when their first app failed.
- After realizing the market was saturated, the company decided to pivot toward high-end luxury goods instead.
- The candidate's ability to pivot during the debate allowed him to avoid a damaging question and refocus the conversation on his primary economic platform.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.