Pronunciation: [pˈɪvət] (IPA) 
The word "pivot" has an interesting spelling. Its IPA phonetic transcription is [ˈpɪvət]. The "p" at the beginning is pronounced with a pop of air, and the "i" in "pivot" is pronounced as "ih." The "v" sound is followed by a short "uh" sound and then the "t" at the end. The letter "o" is absent in the spelling of "pivot," which can sometimes cause confusion for those learning English as a second language.
Pivot can be defined as a verb and a noun, carrying different meanings in various contexts. As a verb, pivot refers to the act of turning or rotating on a central point or axis. It implies a change in direction, strategy, or focus in response to a particular situation. In business and entrepreneurship, pivoting is often related to adapting a company's products, services, or market strategy to meet changing demands or challenges.
As a noun, pivot denotes the central or focal point around which movement or change occurs. It can be a physical object, such as a pin or joint, that allows rotation or swiveling. In a figurative sense, pivot refers to a critical moment or juncture when a decision or action can considerably influence the outcome of a situation or project.
In sports, particularly basketball, pivot is a term used to describe a player's footwork technique, where they keep one foot planted while using the other foot to change direction quickly. It is a fundamental move to maintain balance and evade defenders.
Furthermore, pivot is widely used in data analysis and statistics to describe a specific value or variable around which data is organized or measured. In this context, it refers to rearranging or reorganizing data to facilitate analysis, summarization, or comparison.
Overall, pivot encompasses the notions of rotating, adapting, changing, or being the central point in various domains, and its definition varies according to the specific domain it is applied to.
• To place on a pivot.
• The point of the pin or axle on which a wheel or body turns; the end of a shaft which rests and turns in a support; a turning-point; the stationary officer or soldier on whom the wheelings are made in the various evolutions of drill.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word pivot originated from the Middle English term pivote, which entered the English language from Old French. The Old French term derived from the verb pivoter, meaning to turn on a pivot. Pivot can ultimately be traced back to the Latin word piva, which refers to the pivot or pivot pin of a door or gate. This Latin term is related to the verb pivare, meaning to turn on a pivot.
