alternate

adjective

al·ter·nate | \ US and Canadian ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-

; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-\

Definition of alternate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : occurring or succeeding by turns a day of alternate sunshine and rain

2a : arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line a plant with alternate leaves — compare opposite entry 1

b : arranged one above or alongside the other alternate layers of brick and stone

3 : every other : every second He works on alternate days.

4 : constituting an alternative took the alternate route home

5 : alternative sense 2 did not approve of their son's alternate lifestyle

alternate

verb

al·ter·nate | \ ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt also ˈal-

alternated; alternating

Definition of alternate (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to perform by turns or in succession alternated comedies and dramas

2 : to cause to alternate

intransitive verb

: to change from one to another repeatedly Rain alternated with sun.

alternate

noun

al·ter·nate | \ same as ¹alternate

Definition of alternate (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : alternative

2 : one that substitutes for or alternates with another They chose twelve jurors and two alternates.

Other Words from alternate More Example Sentences Learn More about alternate

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Examples of alternate in a Sentence

Adjective

Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window. We took an alternate route because of the traffic. Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.

Verb

The poem alternates fear and hope. The light and dark woods alternate to form an elegant pattern around the window.

Noun

The town has elected five councilors and two alternates.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

All that uncertainty makes alternate revenue streams crucial, especially for grocers, which generate much skimpier margins than, say, fashion or luxury retailers. — Matthew Boyle, The Seattle Times, "Amazon has a big advertising business. Walmart wants one too," 19 Feb. 2019 Following the outbreak of a nuclear war, Hel is one of thousands of people who fled from New York City into an alternate timeline — our own. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "All the science fiction and fantasy books we’re looking forward to in 2019," 30 Dec. 2018 An alternate option for Amy is, wait for it...food! — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Actress Amy Smart Reveals How She Decorates Her Home For The Holidays With Husband Carter Oosterhouse," 7 Dec. 2018 In three additions, alternate flour and date mixtures, mixing until just combined. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Sticky Toffee Pudding," 27 Nov. 2018 He was praised by former NBA Commissioner David Stern and served as the Mavericks' alternate governor with the league. — Fox News, "Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to donate $10M after NBA probes office environment," 19 Sep. 2018 Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, who shot 67 on Friday in alternate shot, could only manage a 68 in better ball and were seven shots back. — BostonGlobe.com, "Kisner, Brown take lead into final round of Zurich Classic," 28 Apr. 2018 Conditions were absolutely perfect on Thursday, and scores will be significantly higher on average in tomorrow's alternate shot round. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "Three Quick Thoughts From Thursday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans," 26 Apr. 2018 He was praised by former NBA Commissioner David Stern and served as the Mavericks' alternate governor with the league. — CBS News, "NBA's Dallas Mavericks rocked by sexual harassment allegations," 21 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Continue repeating the four-part sequence, alternating which leg leads, for 1 minute. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "Hailey Bieber Strengthens Her Core and Lower Half With This One 4-Part Exercise," 4 Jan. 2019 Director KJ Sanchez skillfully guides the rich production, alternating anarchic pageantry with nuanced pathos. — Marcus Crowder, SFChronicle.com, "Former ‘Sesame Street’ star makes Cal Shakes’ ‘Quixote Nuevo’ an instant classic," 18 June 2018 Lee's offers three flavors a day, which are chocolate, vanilla and one that alternates every four to five days. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cool down with custard...or soft serve? Here are two places in the Milwaukee suburbs that do it right.," 30 May 2018 There is some voice-over but little dialogue in an ebb-and-flow soundtrack that alternates wailing folk melodies with choral chanting. — New York Times, "In ‘The Color of Pomegranates,’ the Cinema of the Cryptic," 24 May 2018 Reflections, the sun dropping low on the horizon, alternating light and dark patches on the road, not to mention heavy rain or snow, all can bamboozle the machines. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "Why Did the Human Cross the Road? To Confuse the Self-Driving Car," 10 July 2018 Many long-distance runners train in intervals, also known as periodization, building strength by alternating hard and easy weeks of exertion and recovery. — David G. Allan, CNN, "The infamous murderer's prison escape that inspired a near-impossible ultramarathon," 26 May 2018 This is done by alternating which runways are used for arrivals and departures. — Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'We are advocating for our community': Park Ridge mayor seeks voice on O'Hare Fly Quiet Committee," 15 May 2018 Construction on Roebuck Road Roebuck Road will have periodic lane closures with alternating traffic between Jog and Haverhill roads. — Staff Report, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bridge construction among road alerts in Wellington area," 26 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Earlier Monday, lawyers chose 12 jurors and two alternates to hear the case. — Bruce Schreiner, The Seattle Times, "Rand Paul testifies he feared for his life after 2017 attack," 28 Jan. 2019 The jury, which features two black members out of 12 jurors and two alternates, also acquitted Oliver on two lesser charges of aggravated assault stemming from the shooting. — Ryan Tarinelli, Fox News, "Mom: Ex-Texas officer convicted of murder is a devoted dad," 30 Aug. 2018 As word had gotten out about the opportunity available, 12 other players signed up as alternates. — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, "With One Spot Left in the French Open, the Race Was On," 28 May 2018 Two will be excused as alternates before deliberations, which may not start until next week. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Trial begins for Brown Deer police officer who shot bus passenger," 13 Feb. 2018 For the principals in particular, this is a hard sing — the original Broadway production included alternates for all the main roles — which makes the cast's accomplishments here all the more impressive despite some occasional strain. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Carmen Jones': Theater Review," 28 June 2018 An alternate was named in case one of the four dropped out, but so far, no one has. — Trisha Powell Crain, AL.com, "Alabama schools hiring new superintendent: Who the board might select and why," 20 Apr. 2018 Last season, Incognito was a superb left guard for Rex Ryan’s Bills, who led the league in rushing with 2,432 yards and a 4.8-yard average gain, capping his year with a trip to the Pro Bowl after being named an AFC alternate. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Bills Guard Richie Incognito Announces Retirement On Twitter," 10 Apr. 2018 Banjo nearly made the Pro Bowl because of his play, being tabbed an alternate for the game. — Larry Holder, NOLA.com, "Grading the 2017 New Orleans Saints by position: Safety," 5 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alternate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.