Definition of spin | Collins English Dictionary

spin (spɪn)

Word forms: spins, spinning, spun

to rotate or cause to rotate rapidly, as on an axis
1. to draw out and twist (natural fibres, as of silk or cotton) into a long continuous thread
2. to make such a thread or filament from (synthetic resins, etc), usually by forcing through a nozzle
(of spiders, silkworms, etc) to form (webs, cocoons, etc) from a silky fibre exuded from the body
(tr) to shape (metal) into a rounded form on a lathe
(tr) informal to tell (a tale, story, etc) by drawing it out at great length (esp in the phrase spin a yarn)
to bowl, pitch, hit, or kick (a ball) so that it rotates in the air and changes direction or speed on bouncing, or (of a ball) to be projected in this way
(intr) (of wheels) to revolve rapidly without causing propulsion
to cause (an aircraft) to dive in a spiral descent or (of an aircraft) to dive in a spiral descent
(intr) along to drive or travel swiftly
spin-dry(tr) to rotate (clothes) in a washing machine in order to extract surplus water
(intr) to reel or grow dizzy, as from turning around ⇒ my head is spinning
(intr) to fish by drawing a revolving lure through the water
(intr) informal to present news or information in a way that creates a favourable impression

a swift rotating motion; instance of spinning
physics
1. the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary particle or atomic nucleus, as distinguished from any angular momentum resulting from its motion
2. a quantum number determining values of this angular momentum in units of the Dirac constant, having integral or half-integral values Ss
a condition of loss of control of an aircraft or an intentional flight manoeuvre in which the aircraft performs a continuous spiral descent because the angle of maximum lift is less than the angle of incidence
a spinning motion imparted to a ball, etc
(in skating) any of various movements involving spinning rapidly on the spot
informal a short or fast drive, ride, etc, esp in a car, for pleasure
See flat spin
Australian New Zealand informal a period of time or an experience; chance or luck; fortune ⇒ a bad spin
business informal a sudden downward trend in prices, values, etc
informal the practice of presenting news or information in a way that creates a favourable impression
See on the spin

Old English spinnan; related to Old Norse spinna, Old High German spinnan to spin, Lithuanian pinu to braid

View thesaurus entry

= reel, swim, whirl, be giddy be in a whirl grow dizzy

= drive, ride, turn, hurl, whirl, joy ride

The shit's not flying yet, but the fan is starting to spin.
Jon Cleary, YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)
The next time you pretend to be a movie executive, give this book a spin.
Maxim (2004)
Meanwhile, some analysts have suggested that the company may remove "AOL" from its name or even spin off the Internet unit.
Globe and Mail (2003)
In recent weeks, the strip has seen Wagner's unique spin on the Highland Clearances.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Perhaps the most obvious is to put top or back spin on a ball in racket sports.
Andrews, Elizabeth, Muscle Management (1991)