spin
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPIN
1
:
to turn or cause someone or something to turn around repeatedly
[no object]
-
The Earth spins [=rotates] on its axis once a day.
-
The car hit a patch of ice and spun into the wall.
-
a spinning propeller
-
He spun around [=turned around quickly] and looked at me in surprise.
[+ object]
-
The children were spinning a top.
-
He grabbed her and spun her around. [=he grabbed her and turned her around quickly]
2
[no object]
:
to seem to be moving around in a way that makes you feel dizzy or sick
-
I tried to stand up but the room was spinning.
-
After the night of drinking, my head was spinning. [=I was dizzy]
-
All of that information made my head spin. [=made me feel confused or dizzy]
3
:
to draw out and twist fibers of cotton, wool, silk, etc., into yarn or thread
—
see also spinning wheel
[+ object]
-
She spun the silk into thread.
-
They spun the wool into yarn.
[no object]
-
tools used for spinning
4
[+ object]
of insects
:
to form (something) by producing a fluid that quickly hardens into a thread
-
a spider spinning its web
-
worms spinning silk
5
[+ object]
:
to tell (a story, especially a story that you create by using your imagination)
-
He was spinning yarns [=telling stories] about his adventures in the navy.
-
She spun a tale [=made up a story] about her car breaking down to explain why she was late.
6
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to move very quickly on wheels or in a vehicle
-
The motorcycles spun [=sped] along the country road.
7
[+ object]
:
to describe (something, such as an event) in a certain way in order to influence what people think about it
-
Both parties tried to spin the debate as a victory for their candidate.
-
He accused the companies of spinning the results of their studies to their own benefit.
8
[+ object]
chiefly US, informal
:
to play recorded music at a party or nightclub
-
We hired my favorite DJ to spin records/tunes/discs at the party.
spinning in his/her grave
spin off
[phrasal verb]
spin off
or
spin (something) off
or
spin off (something)
:
to create something new (such as a new television show or company) by basing it on or taking it from something that already exists
—
see also spin-off
-
The show was so popular that it spun off a new series. [=a new series was created based on the show]
-
The cartoon has spun off dolls and other merchandise.
-
They spun off their specialty foods line into a separate company.
-
The auto parts manufacturer spun off from another company.
spin on your heel
spin out
[phrasal verb]
1
US, of a vehicle
:
to slide and turn around quickly in an uncontrolled way
-
The truck spun out on a patch of ice.
-
He took a sharp corner too fast and spun out.
2
spin (something) out
or
spin out (something)
chiefly British
:
to make (something) last for a very long time
-
They're deliberately trying to spin out the debate.
3
spin out of control
a
:
to move in a way that is not controlled
-
The rocket spun out of control and crashed.
b
:
to keep getting worse in a way that is hard to stop or fix
-
Her drinking problem is spinning out of control.
spin your wheels
US, informal
:
to stay in the same condition or position without making progress
-
I need to look for a new job. I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels here.
2
spin
/ˈspɪn/
noun
plural
spins
2
spin
/ˈspɪn/
noun
plural
spins
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPIN
1
a
:
the act of turning around and around
:
an act of spinning
[noncount]
-
the direction of the Earth's spin
[count]
-
The ice-skater executed graceful jumps and spins.
2
:
a certain way of describing or talking about something that is meant to influence other people's opinion of it
—
see also spin control, spin doctor
[singular]
-
Each author puts a new/different spin on the story.
-
a positive/favorable spin
[noncount]
-
They claim to report the news with no spin.
3
[count]
informal
:
a short trip in a vehicle
-
He took me for a spin in his new car.
-
Would you like to go for a spin?
4
[count]
:
a condition in which an airplane is falling rapidly while turning around and around
— sometimes used figuratively
-
The plane went into a spin. [=tailspin]
-
The news of her death sent him into a spin. [=caused him to become very unhappy, to lose control of his life, etc.]
5
[singular]
:
a state of being mentally confused or anxious
-
Her head was all in a spin. [=her head was spinning; she was very confused]
