1
a(1)
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
(2)
: the act or an instance of rotating something
b
: one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation
2
a
: return or succession in a series
rotation of the seasons
3
: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
4
: a game of pool in which all 15 object balls are shot in numerical order
5
: the series of pitchers on a baseball team who regularly start successive games in turn

Examples of rotation in a Sentence

the rotation of the Earth around its axis the rotation of the Moon around the Earth The Earth makes one rotation every day. Alfalfa and corn are planted in rotation.
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.
Clarke Schmidt, a 29-year-old righty who was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, out of South Carolina in 2017, was slated to hold down the back end of the Yankees rotation — though his importance was elevated after two other crucial injuries to Yankees starters. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 If Schmidt remains on schedule, the fifth rotation spot is down to Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025 Burke figures to be one of three pitchers with less than one year of service time who will begin the season in the rotation, joining Jonathan Cannon and Davis Martin. John Perrotto, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Downer has mostly gone with a seven-player rotation but has good options with depth players like forward Luke Smith and wing Andrew Hommes, Daulton’s younger brother. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotation

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotation was circa 1550

Cite this Entry

“Rotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotation. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

rotation

noun
1
a
: the act of rotating especially on an axis
b
: one complete turn
2
rotational adjective

Medical Definition

rotation

noun
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
specifically : the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
rotation of the head to look over the shoulder

More from Merriam-Webster on rotation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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