Word
rivet
Phoneticsriv·et, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɪvət/
UK/ɹˈɪvɪt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a strong metal pin used to hold two pieces of metal together. It has a head on one end and the other end is flattened after it is put through a hole.
n. a permanent mechanical fastener consisting of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. Upon installation, the tail is deformed through a process of upsetting to create a second head, securing the joined materials.
Examples
“The worker uses a hammer to secure each rivet in the steel beam.”
“Engineers inspected every rivet on the bridge's structure to ensure the metal plates remained perfectly aligned after years of heavy traffic.”
“The industrial aesthetic of the building is highlighted by exposed steel girders and rows of heavy rivets, echoing the construction techniques of the early twentieth century.”
Examples
simple
“The worker uses a hammer to secure each rivet in the steel beam.”
contextual
“Engineers inspected every rivet on the bridge's structure to ensure the metal plates remained perfectly aligned after years of heavy traffic.”
complex
“The industrial aesthetic of the building is highlighted by exposed steel girders and rows of heavy rivets, echoing the construction techniques of the early twentieth century.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rivet” in context.
Verb
01. drive rivet
“Workers used pneumatic hammers to drive rivets into the bridge's girders.”
verb + noun
02. fasten with rivet
“The metal plates were securely fastened with rivets rather than welds.”
verb + prep + noun
03. remove rivet
“You will need a specialized drill bit to remove the damaged rivet safely.”
verb + noun
04. rivet fail
“If a single rivet fails, it can place undue stress on the entire assembly.”
noun + verb
05. rivet hold
“Despite the extreme pressure, the rivets held and the tank did not leak.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. countersunk rivet
“Use a countersunk rivet to ensure the surface remains perfectly flush.”
adj + noun
07. loose rivet
“Engineers identified a loose rivet in the wing structure during the inspection.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. head of rivet
“The head of the rivet was sheared off during the high-impact collision.”
noun + prep + noun
09. row of rivets
“A double row of rivets runs along the seam of the aircraft fuselage.”
noun + prep + noun
10. pop a rivet
“The boiler nearly popped a rivet under the intense steam pressure.”
11. replace a missing rivet
“Maintenance crews worked overnight to replace a missing rivet on the tail fin.”
12. secure by means of rivets
“The external casing is secured by means of rivets to prevent tampering.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of heavy construction, shipbuilding, and aerospace engineering.
Real-World Examples
“Federal investigators said Monday that they had discovered flaws in the riveting of the roof of the Southwest Airlines plane that tore open in flight on April 1, a finding that experts said probably showed manufacturing defects.” “For a decade, metallurgists studying the hulk of the Titanic have argued that the storied ocean liner went down quickly after hitting an iceberg because the ship's builder used substandard rivets that popped their heads and let tons of icy seawater rush in.” “The culprit, says NIST metallurgist Timothy Foecke in the report, is very possibly one of Titanic's smallest components--the 3 million wrought iron rivets used to hold the hull sections together.” “A time capsule containing one of the original cartridges as well as rivets from the Boeing production line in Long Beach where the B17 was made, were buried during a special ceremony.” Etymology
From Old French rivet (13th century), from the verb Old French river (“to fetter [a person]”) (12th century), from Old French rive (“rim, edge”) (ca. 1100), which is ultimately from Latin ripa (“riverbank”). Compare river, rival, riparian. The sense "kind of footman's armour" is apparently a back-formation from almain rivet, which is apparently derived from the English noun; see that entry for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. rivet counter
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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