rotary

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​ta·​ry ˈrō-tə-rē 

1

a

: turning on an axis like a wheel

b

: taking place about an axis

rotary motion

2

: having an important part that turns on an axis

rotary cutter

3

: characterized by rotation

4

: of, relating to, or being a press in which paper is printed by rotation in contact with a curved printing surface attached to a cylinder

rotary

2 of 2

noun

plural rotaries

1

: a rotary machine

2

: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only

called also circle, traffic circle

Examples of rotary in a Sentence

Adjective

the rotary action of the wheel

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The rotary design is the latest in a string of bizarre, out-of-left-field keyboard designs Google Japan has released, mostly for fun. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025

The latest bonkers idea takes a circular approach to input tasks, which will appeal to fans of antique rotary dial telephones. —New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025

Noun

The system ships with two wireless pads that keep the hallmark rotary dial and numeric keypad, maintaining the original design, even if thumbsticks would work a little better. —Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

Anyone looking to purchase the rotary model though is out of luck. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota wheel

First Known Use

Adjective

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rotary

• rotary cultivator
• rotary engine
• rotary-wing aircraft

Rhymes for rotary

• coterie
• notary
• votary
• electrocautery
• prothonotary

Kids Definition

rotary

1 of 2 adjective

ro·​ta·​ry ˈrōt-ə-rē 

1

a

: turning on an axis like a wheel

a rotary blade

b

: taking place about an axis

rotary motion

2

: having a rotating part

a rotary lawn mower

rotary

2 of 2 noun

plural rotaries

1

: a rotary machine

2

: a road junction formed around a central circle about which traffic moves in one direction only