: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers
rotated; rotating
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
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
Synonyms
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
Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Altair rotates at a blistering pace of once every seven hours, represented by a spinning motif.
—Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024
An automotive service technician maintain vehicles, including doing oil changes, checking fluid levels, rotating tires, replacing car batteries, repairing brake pads, and more.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
Other brands like Hennessy prioritize rotating collaborations with bespoke artists, like that of their newest release with Jean-Michel Othoniel, world-acclaimed for his work with glass.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotate 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Morris Brown, the family practice physician who owns the clinic, rotated through Black patients nearly every 20 minutes.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Altair rotates at a blistering pace of once every seven hours, represented by a spinning motif.
—Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024
An automotive service technician maintain vehicles, including doing oil changes, checking fluid levels, rotating tires, replacing car batteries, repairing brake pads, and more.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
Other brands like Hennessy prioritize rotating collaborations with bespoke artists, like that of their newest release with Jean-Michel Othoniel, world-acclaimed for his work with glass.
—Jillian Dara, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotate
Dictionary Entries Near rotate
Cite this Entry
“Rotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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