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

The ride consists of six swinging arms that soar six stories high and rotate 360 degrees, offering riders the sensation of spinning in three directions at once.

From Los Angeles Times

A robotic platform rotated the head while a moving speaker played noises coming from different distances.

From Science Daily

Mission Viejo rotates two quarterbacks, has top receivers, a top running back and a great secondary.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to Fianna Fáil, its leader Micheál Martin has spent the last four years rotating through the top two jobs in elected politics.

From BBC

The engineers had travelled to the 209-year-old lighthouse ahead of a year long project to check the bearing the five tonne lens rotates on.

From BBC

Related Words

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