rotary

adjective ro·ta·ry \ ˈrō-tə-rē \

Definition of rotary

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

See rotary defined for English-language learners

See rotary defined for kids

Examples of rotary in a Sentence

the rotary action of the wheel

Recent Examples of rotary from the Web

Navigation had multiple controls – a rotary/push/tap knob, vocal, and handwriting recognition on a touch pad.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Redesign of Audi Q7 for 2017 raises the bar for this 7-passenger crossover," 18 Aug. 2017
There were still some rotary phones around in our childhood—now it’s nothing but virtual buttons.

— rich cohen, Vanities, "Why Generation X Might Be Our Last, Best Hope," 17 Aug. 2017
There were still some rotary phones around in our childhood—now it’s nothing but virtual buttons.

— rich cohen, vanityfair.com, "Why Generation X Might Be Our Last, Best Hope," 11 Aug. 2017
A rotary drilling machine begins to expand the holes for the emergency spillway cutoff wall.

— ryan sabalow, sacbee, "Trump administration sends payout for Oroville Dam crisis. Could more be on the way?," 9 Aug. 2017
She and sister-in-law Jona Barnes, a Ramona resident, spent time placing bids on silent auction items at the Rotary booth.

— maureen robertson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Rotary stages 'best fireworks yet'," 26 July 2017
Members of Rotary clubs (known as Rotarians) provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

— carol kovach, cleveland.com, "Westlake Porter Public Library's STEAM Week offers programs for all ages: West Shore Chatter," 18 July 2017
A rotary tool phase renders the finish even smoother.

— rene chun, WIRED, "Review: Master & Dynamic MA770," 12 July 2017
The tray slowly moved back and forth as six forks on rotary arms below the tray plucked off small chunks of three to four plants and pushed the seedlings into the mud.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Rice planting in Mequon is historic first for Wisconsin," 29 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rotary

Medieval Latin rotarius, from Latin rota wheel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1704

See Words from the same year

rotary

noun

Definition of rotary

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

See rotary defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rotary from the Web

Jaguza Children Ministries returns to Medina Sunrise Rotary: Jaguza means Rejoice, Allan Kizito, Executive Director of Jaguza Children Ministries told Sunrise rotary.

— 'sam' boyer/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Welcoming butterflies and other pollinators to the farm: Whit & Whimsey," 23 June 2017
Due to Eno's efforts, things such as speed limits, right-of-way rules at intersections and rotaries, pavement markings, one way streets and turn signals have been codified to law.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 5 June 2017
Then firefighters used a rotary saw to cut just above the kitten’s whereabouts, and carefully knocked away loose bricks to free it.

— brian whitehead, Orange County Register, "Watch firefighters rescue kitten trapped in wall in Santa Ana," 30 May 2017