spin
♦ spin /sp'ɪn/ (spins spinning spun)
1 [VERB] V, V n, V n round/around
If something spins or if you spin it, it turns quickly around a central point.
The latest discs, used for small portable computers, spin 3600 times a minute...
He spun the wheel sharply and made a U turn in the middle of the road...
He spun his car round and went after them.
[N-VAR]
Spin is also a noun.
This driving mode allows you to move off in third gear to reduce wheel-spin in icy conditions.
2 [VERB] V n
When you spin washing, it is turned round and round quickly in a spin drier or a washing machine to get the water out.
Just spin the washing and it's nearly dry.
[N-SING]
Spin is also a noun.
Set on a cool wash and finish with a short spin.
3 [VERB] V
If your head is spinning, you feel unsteady or confused, for example because you are drunk, ill, or excited.
My head was spinning from the wine...
4 [N-SING] with supp
If someone puts a certain spin on an event or situation, they interpret it and try to present it in a particular way. (INFORMAL)
He interpreted the vote as support for the constitution and that is the spin his supporters are putting on the results today.
see also spin doctor
5 [N-UNCOUNT]
In politics, spin is the way in which political parties try to present everything they do in a positive way to the public and the media.
The public is sick of spin and tired of promises. It's time for politicians to act.
6 [N-SING] a N
If you go for a spin or take a car for a spin, you make a short journey in a car just to enjoy yourself.
7 [VERB] V n, also V n n
If someone spins a story, they give you an account of something that is untrue or only partly true.
He was surprised, and annoyed that she had spun a story which was too good to be condemned as a simple lie.
8 [VERB] V n
When people spin, they make thread by twisting together pieces of a fibre such as wool or cotton using a device or machine.
Michelle will also spin a customer's wool fleece to specification at a cost of $2.25 an ounce.
● spinning [N-UNCOUNT]
They do their own cooking, spinning, and woodworking.
9 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game such as tennis or cricket, if you put spin on a ball, you deliberately make it spin rapidly when you hit it or throw it.spin doc|tor (spin doctors)
[N-COUNT]
In politics, a spin doctor is someone who is skilled in public relations and who advises political parties on how to present their policies and actions. (INFORMAL)spin off
or spin out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P n
To spin off or spin off something such as a company means to create a new company that is separate from the original organization. (BUSINESS)
He rescued the company and later spun off its textile division into a separate company...
Corven plans to help large companies spin out smaller, entrepreneurial firms.spin out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you spin something out, you make it last longer than it normally would.
My wife's solicitor was anxious to spin things out for as long as possible...
The Government will try to spin out the conference into next autumn.
= prolong
2
see also spin off
1 [VERB] V, V n, V n round/around
If something spins or if you spin it, it turns quickly around a central point.
The latest discs, used for small portable computers, spin 3600 times a minute...
He spun the wheel sharply and made a U turn in the middle of the road...
He spun his car round and went after them.
[N-VAR]
Spin is also a noun.
This driving mode allows you to move off in third gear to reduce wheel-spin in icy conditions.
2 [VERB] V n
When you spin washing, it is turned round and round quickly in a spin drier or a washing machine to get the water out.
Just spin the washing and it's nearly dry.
[N-SING]
Spin is also a noun.
Set on a cool wash and finish with a short spin.
3 [VERB] V
If your head is spinning, you feel unsteady or confused, for example because you are drunk, ill, or excited.
My head was spinning from the wine...
4 [N-SING] with supp
If someone puts a certain spin on an event or situation, they interpret it and try to present it in a particular way. (INFORMAL)
He interpreted the vote as support for the constitution and that is the spin his supporters are putting on the results today.
see also spin doctor
5 [N-UNCOUNT]
In politics, spin is the way in which political parties try to present everything they do in a positive way to the public and the media.
The public is sick of spin and tired of promises. It's time for politicians to act.
6 [N-SING] a N
If you go for a spin or take a car for a spin, you make a short journey in a car just to enjoy yourself.
7 [VERB] V n, also V n n
If someone spins a story, they give you an account of something that is untrue or only partly true.
He was surprised, and annoyed that she had spun a story which was too good to be condemned as a simple lie.
8 [VERB] V n
When people spin, they make thread by twisting together pieces of a fibre such as wool or cotton using a device or machine.
Michelle will also spin a customer's wool fleece to specification at a cost of $2.25 an ounce.
● spinning [N-UNCOUNT]
They do their own cooking, spinning, and woodworking.
9 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game such as tennis or cricket, if you put spin on a ball, you deliberately make it spin rapidly when you hit it or throw it.spin doc|tor (spin doctors)
[N-COUNT]
In politics, a spin doctor is someone who is skilled in public relations and who advises political parties on how to present their policies and actions. (INFORMAL)spin off
or spin out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P n
To spin off or spin off something such as a company means to create a new company that is separate from the original organization. (BUSINESS)
He rescued the company and later spun off its textile division into a separate company...
Corven plans to help large companies spin out smaller, entrepreneurial firms.spin out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you spin something out, you make it last longer than it normally would.
My wife's solicitor was anxious to spin things out for as long as possible...
The Government will try to spin out the conference into next autumn.
= prolong
2
see also spin off