a swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)
"The radar operator warned that the incoming missile would lose its guidance if it didn't maintain a rapid spin during flight."
a distinctive interpretation (especially as used by politicians to sway public opinion)
"the campaign put a favorable spin on the story"
Rapid circular motion.
"The basketball player launched into a dizzying spin before dropping the ball perfectly between the hoop's rim and backboard."
In plain English: Spin is when someone tries to change how people see a situation by focusing only on the parts that make them look good.
"The dancer finished her routine with an impressive spin on one foot."
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
"The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy"
twist and turn so as to give an intended interpretation
"The President's spokesmen had to spin the story to make it less embarrassing"
To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.
"The dancer spun so fast she became a blur of motion before landing gracefully in the center of the stage."
In plain English: To spin means to move something quickly around in a circle.
"The child asked his father to spin him around on the merry-go-round."
Usage: Use this verb when describing an object rotating around its axis or turning partway so it faces a new direction. It is often confused with "spin off," which means to detach and fly away rather than simply change orientation.
The word "spin" comes from the Old English spinnan, meaning to twist fibers into thread. It traveled directly into Middle English and has remained in use with its original sense of twisting or rotating.