rotary

[ roh-tuh-ree ]

adjective

1. turning or capable of turning around on an axis, as a wheel.
2. taking place around an axis, as motion.
3. having a part or parts that turn on an axis, as a machine.

noun

, plural ro·ta·ries.

1. a rotary device or machine.
2. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. traffic circle.
3. Also called rotary converter. Electricity. synchronous converter.
4. (initial capital letter) Rotary Club.

rotary

/ ˈrəʊtərɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or operating by rotation
2. turning or able to turn; revolving

noun

1. a part of a machine that rotates about an axis
2. a roundabout (for traffic)

Other Words From

• un·rota·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rotary¹

1725–35; < Medieval Latin rotārius (adj.), equivalent to Latin rot ( a ) wheel + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of rotary¹

C18: from Medieval Latin rotārius , from Latin rota a wheel

Example Sentences

If you’re looking for a more specific tool kit, one for model making and fine detail, you’ll need a great rotary tool.

From Popular-Science

“From the old rotary phone that they were on a waiting list for, to the scooter they all piled on to for a monthly dinner,” — in interviews, Pichai often discusses the impact that technology has had on his own life.

From Search Engine Land

After dialing the number on a rotary phone he hears distressed sounds coming from the other end before the line abruptly clicks off.

From Washington Post

Brainard suspected that the engineer was confusing roundabouts with the much larger, higher-speed rotaries — a forgivable confusion, given the nomenclature.

From Freakonomics

The rotary and foil blades in waterproof models may not get quite as close to the skin as regular disposable razors, but they will get you smoother than most dry electric shavers.

From Popular-Science

Inquiries will be accepted only via Western Union telegram or rotary phone.

From The Daily Beast

Bob Bashara was a married Rotary Club president who lived in a ritzy Detroit suburb.

From The Daily Beast

There's an old rotary phone and a few yellowed papers on a cluttered old wooden desk.

From The Daily Beast

“I think for sure he will,” said Kit Jennings, treasurer of the Spartanburg Rotary Club, which Perry addressed Tuesday.

From The Daily Beast

The thwap-thwap-thwap of rotary wings above triggered an intense reaction in Army trauma surgeon Dr. (Maj.) Tara Dixon.

From The Daily Beast

The rotary tuner shown in the sketch was designed by a correspondent of Modern Electrics.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gnome rotary engine was first used with success at this meeting.

From Project Gutenberg

The first steam engine invented by Hero was a rotary engine, but it was of course, most uneconomical of steam.

From Project Gutenberg

They not unfrequently acquire a rotary movement, whereby the circumference attains a velocity of several miles per hour.

From Project Gutenberg

It is by this means that the reciprocating movement of the piston is transformed into a rotary motion of the crank-shaft.

From Project Gutenberg