alternate

1 of 2

verb

al·​ter·​nate ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt 

also ˈal-

alternated; alternating

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

2 of 2

noun

al·​ter·​nate

US and Canadian

ˈȯl-tər-nət 

also ˈal-;

chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-

1

: alternative

2

: one that substitutes for or alternates with another

They chose twelve jurors and two alternates.

Examples of alternate in a Sentence

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

Verb

The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026

The robots this year played a game called REBUILT, with alliances working to score balls in massive goal towers, alternating between offensive and defensive play over the course of the match. —P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026

Noun

Twelve jurors and six alternates have been chosen for the Karmelo Anthony murder trial. —J.d. Miles, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Now, the soon-to-be junior and 2024 Team USA Olympic alternate has plans of turning UGA gymnastics into a superpower, drawing enthusiasm similar to the school’s most prominent sport. —Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" — more at alternate entry 1

Noun

derivative of alternate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alternate

• alternate angle

Kids Definition

alternate

1 of 3 adjective

al·​ter·​nate ˈȯl-tər-nət 

also ˈal-

1

: occurring or following by turns

a day of alternate sunshine and rain

2

a

: occurring first on one side and then on the other at different levels along an axis

alternate leaves on a plant stem

b

: arranged one above, beside, or next to another

alternate layers of meat and cheese

3

: every other : every second

works on alternate days

4

: being one of the things between which a choice is to be made

we took an alternate route

alternately adverb

alternate

2 of 3 verb

al·​ter·​nate ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt 

also ˈal-

alternated; alternating

1

: to do, occur, or act by turns

2

: to cause to alternate

alternate

3 of 3 noun

al·​ter·​nate -nət 

: a person named to take the place of another when necessary

Legal Definition

alternate

1 of 2 adjective

al·​ter·​nate ˈȯl-tər-nət, ˈal- 

1

: occurring or succeeding by turns

2

: being an alternative

alternate juror

alternate

2 of 2 noun

1

: alternative

2

: one that substitutes for another

twelve jurors and three alternates