1
a
: turning on an axis like a wheel
b
: taking place about an axis
rotary motion
2
: having an important part that turns on an axis
rotary cutter
3
: characterized by rotation
4
: of, relating to, or being a press in which paper is printed by rotation in contact with a curved printing surface attached to a cylinder
plural rotaries
1
: a rotary machine
2
: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only
called also circle, traffic circle
Examples of rotary in a Sentence
Adjective
the rotary action of the wheel
Recent Examples on the Web
Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
The buttons beneath the rotary controls are now all orange with the addition of LEDs to illuminate them.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Karl Brauer, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Consider joining or getting more heavily involved in an organization – rotary, garden club, biker gang, whatever suits your fancy.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotary 
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Adjective
Both have spindly legs, two working rotary knobs on the front for volume and channels and a power button on top.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
The buttons beneath the rotary controls are now all orange with the addition of LEDs to illuminate them.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
These are seen on the drive mode rotary dial and other roller controls, as well as the gear selector.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Consider joining or getting more heavily involved in an organization – rotary, garden club, biker gang, whatever suits your fancy.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotary
Dictionary Entries Near rotary
Cite this Entry
“Rotary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotary. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rotary
1 of 2 adjective
ro·ta·ry
ˈrōt-ə-rē 
1
a
: turning on an axis like a wheel
a rotary blade
b
: taking place about an axis
rotary motion
2
: having a rotating part
a rotary lawn mower
rotary
2 of 2 noun
plural rotaries
1
: a rotary machine
2
: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only
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