rotate

¹

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

verb (used with object)

rotated, rotating.

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)

rotated, rotating.

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 Word Forms

• 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

However, since the beginning of 2024, Wiegman has favoured rotating her goalkeepers, selecting Hampton in six of England's past 10 matches.

From BBC

"It's like many, many thousands of rotating, glinting ruffled potato chips."

From Salon

At any point in the game you can rotate the controller, put it on a surface and use it like a mouse.

From BBC

Housing for Health began in 2012 to house homeless patients who rotated through the county’s public hospitals, said Sarah Mahin, the program’s director, in remarks to the supervisors Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Listed as defendants are Magic Mountain and Six Flags as separate entities and S&S Worldwide as the copyright owner for X2’s style of coaster, a “fourth-dimensional” ride with seats that can rotate 360 degrees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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