rotate

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​tate ˈrō-ˌtāt How to pronounce rotate (audio)
: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers

rotate

2 of 2

verb

ro·​tate ˈrō-ˌtāt How to pronounce rotate (audio)
 especially British  rō-ˈtāt
rotated; rotating

intransitive verb

1
a
: to perform an act, function, or operation in turn
b
: to pass or alternate in a series
2
: to turn about an axis or a center : revolve
especially : to move in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a common axis

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to turn or move about an axis or a center
b
: to cause (a plane region or line) to sweep out a volume or surface by moving around an axis so that each of its points remains at a constant distance from the axis
generate a torus by rotating a circle about an external line
2
: to cause to grow in rotation
rotate crops
3
: to cause to pass or act in a series : alternate
4
: to exchange (individuals or units) with others
rotatable
ˈrō-ˌtā-tə-bəl How to pronounce rotate (audio)
 also  rō-ˈtā-
adjective

Examples of rotate in a Sentence

Verb As the gear rotates, it turns the other gears. The Earth rotates on its axis. The planets rotate around the sun. The software allows you to rotate images. Rotate the sheet of paper 90 degrees. The staff rotates the weekend shift. We rotate—she does the dishes one week; I do them the next. You should rotate your car's tires once a year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
For more formal occasions, she’s also rotated in white sneakers worn with tailored linen separates — a recurring combination that blends practicality with polish. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 June 2025 The museum will also feature rotating contemporary exhibitions from Mexican, Latin American, and female artists. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 6 June 2025 In addition to the two enormous submarine sets, there had never been a need to build a gimbal big and strong enough to support, rotate, and move a set of this size, nor a water tank large enough to house the gimbal and set. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 June 2025 The display hinge rotates back 180 degrees, which is unusual for a budget laptop. PC Magazine, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotate

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin rota

Verb

Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll

First Known Use

Adjective

1760, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1757, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotate was in 1757

Cite this Entry

“Rotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotate. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rotate

verb
ro·​tate
ˈrō-ˌtāt
rotated; rotating
1
: to turn or cause to turn about an axis or a center
the earth rotates
2
a
: to do or cause to do something in turn
b
: to pass in a series
the seasons rotate
3
: to cause to grow one after the other on the same land
rotate alfalfa and corn
rotatable
-ˌtāt-ə-bəl
adjective
rotator
-ˌtāt-ər
noun

Medical Definition

rotate

verb
ro·​tate
ˈrō-ˌtāt, especially British rō-ˈ
rotated; rotating

intransitive verb

: to turn about an axis or a center

transitive verb

: to cause to turn about an axis or a center
rotate the head

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