alternating

adjective

al·​ter·​nat·​ing ˈȯl-tər-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce alternating (audio)
 also  ˈal-
: occurring by turns or in succession
a fabric with alternating red and blue stripes
… they lacked experience with volcanoes such as St. Helens, a composite of alternating layers of ash and lava.Rowe Findley
alternatingly adverb
Alternatingly, place small mounds of the fennel and cabbage on each plate … Owen Dugan

Examples of alternating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our bodies are designed to perform these activities in a balanced, alternating and reciprocal pattern. Dana Santas, CNN, 6 Dec. 2022 Walking is an alternating and reciprocal pattern, which simply means that while one side of the body is doing one thing, the other is doing the opposite to create a complete movement. Dana Santas, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 In the past, shipping electricity many hundreds of miles over conventional alternating-current lines wasn’t economical because of power losses that mounted rapidly the longer the distance. Phred Dvorak, WSJ, 7 Mar. 2022 The case and bracelet on both models have are stain-brushed and polished in an alternating fashion right down to the folding clasp. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2022 See all Example Sentences for alternating 

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of alternate entry 2

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternating was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near alternating

Cite this Entry

“Alternating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternating. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

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