rotate

¹

[ roh-teytor, especially British, roh-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.

1. to cause to turn around an axis or center point; revolve.

   Synonyms: whirl, wheel

2. to cause to go through a cycle of changes; cause to pass or follow in a fixed routine of succession:

   to rotate farm crops.

3. to replace (a person, troops, etc.) by another or others, usually according to a schedule or plan.

verb (used without object)

, ro·tat·ed, ro·tat·ing.

1. to turn around on or as if on an axis.
2. to proceed in a fixed routine of succession:

   The sentries rotated in keeping watch.

rotate

²

[ roh-teyt ]

adjective

1. wheel-shaped: applied especially to a gamopetalous short-tubed corolla with a spreading limb.

rotate

verb

1. to turn or cause to turn around an axis, line, or point; revolve or spin
2. to follow or cause to follow a set order or sequence
3. (of a position, presidency, etc) to pass in turn from one eligible party to each of the other eligible parties
4. (of staff) to replace or be replaced in turn

adjective

1. botany designating a corolla the united petals of which radiate from a central point like the spokes of a wheel

Derived Forms

• roˈtatable, adjective

Other Words From

• rotat·a·ble adjective
• rotat·a·bly adverb
• non·rotat·a·ble adjective
• non·rotat·ing adjective
• un·rotat·ed adjective
• un·rotat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rotate¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin rotātus (past participle of rotāre “to cause to spin, roll, move in a circle”), equivalent to rot(a) “wheel” + -ātus -ate ¹

Origin of rotate²

1775–85; < Latin rot ( a ) wheel + -ate ¹

Synonym Study

See turn.

Example Sentences

One of the things we did in Valencia was to rotate players, and I did it with Liverpool too.

From BBC

You have to rotate, when you play two important games every week, or if some of your players have travelled a lot during the international break.

From BBC

“Right now, I rotate through my friends’ houses to get my weekly shower.”

From Los Angeles Times

Once inside approximately 50 yards, they will switch from the simulator to hitting into live-action greens, which have actuators that can make the putting surface rotate and change.

From BBC

It seemed unusually defensive from Lewis and England, assuming the thought process was for Dean to rotate the strike and allow Sciver-Brunt and the lower order to play around her.

From BBC

Related Words

• pivot
• revolve
• spin
• swivel
• twirl
• twist
• whirl