revved; revving
1
a
: to step up the number of revolutions per minute of
—often used with up
rev up the engine
b
: increase
—used with up
rev up production
2
: to drive or operate especially at high speed
—often used with up
3
: to make more active or effective
—used with up
revving up the economy
4
: to stir up : excite
—usually used with up
revved up the kids before bedtime
1
: to operate at an increased speed of revolution
—usually used with up
2
: to increase in amount or activity
—usually used with up
the campaign revved up
3
: to become more excited especially in anticipation
—usually used with up
the partygoers were revving up
1
revenue
2
reverse
3
review; reviewed
4
revised; revision
5
revolution
1
Revelation
2
reverend
Examples of rev in a Sentence
Verb
the team was revved up by the coach's do-or-die locker room speech
Recent Examples on the Web
Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Given a series of intra-quarter checks around build rates and promotional activity that suggested strong demand, constraints appear have pushed some sale into the Dec qtr with the company expecting iPhone rev to be up ‘double-digits’ with constraints spilling into the Dec qtr as well.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The new Fast & Furious coaster that has been revving its engines during test runs around the hillside-hugging track will soon get the green flag to officially start racing with thrill seekers on board at Universal Studios Hollywood.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rev
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
In Sport the exhaust is distinctly louder—when shifting into Sport, when stepping on the throttle and even when braking; the system delivers a nice pop-and-gurgle rev match when downshifting.
—Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Given a series of intra-quarter checks around build rates and promotional activity that suggested strong demand, constraints appear have pushed some sale into the Dec qtr with the company expecting iPhone rev to be up ‘double-digits’ with constraints spilling into the Dec qtr as well.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Robertson and a friend were watching their children jump on a trampoline May 7, 2024, when Shadbar began loudly revving his motorcycle engine.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The new Fast & Furious coaster that has been revving its engines during test runs around the hillside-hugging track will soon get the green flag to officially start racing with thrill seekers on board at Universal Studios Hollywood.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rev
Cite this Entry
“Rev.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rev. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rev
1 of 2 noun
: a revolution of a motor
rev
2 of 2 verb
revved; revving
1
a
: to increase the revolutions per minute of (a motor)
b
: increase
—used with up
rev up production
2
: to make more active or effective
—used with up
needed to rev up the campaign
3
: excite sense 1
—usually used with up
revved the kids up
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