'RPM' originates from modern English as an abbreviation of the phrase 'revolutions per minute', where 'revolution' comes from Latin 'revolutio' meaning 'a turn' or 'a rolling back'.

'revolution' changed from Latin 'revolutio' (past participle of 'revolvere') into Middle French and Middle English as 'revolution', and the abbreviated form 'RPM' was formed in English in the 20th century as technology and engine speed measurement became common.

Initially related to 'turning' or 'a turn back' in Latin, it evolved to mean 'a complete turn' and in modern technical contexts to denote the count of such turns per minute.