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
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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The Atari 2600 had its own paddle controller, which effectively combines a rotary dial with an action button.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
Aleman placed the roses on a conveyor belt, advancing them to a rotary saw that cut their stems.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rotary
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Adjective
Food mills, also known as rotary mills, are used to grind fruits and vegetables to create sauces, soups, broths, stocks and other dishes.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
The Atari 2600 had its own paddle controller, which effectively combines a rotary dial with an action button.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
Turbine-smooth and powerful, the rotary was also notoriously failure-prone due to unreliable rotor seals that ultimately doomed NSU—and the engine generally.
—Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
Aleman placed the roses on a conveyor belt, advancing them to a rotary saw that cut their stems.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rotary
Cite this Entry
“Rotary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotary. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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