: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel
rotate blue flowers
rotated; rotating
1
a
: to perform an act, function, or operation in turn
b
: to pass or alternate in a series
2
: to turn about an axis or a center : revolve
especially
: to move in such a way that all particles follow circles with a common angular velocity about a common axis
1
a
: to cause to turn or move about an axis or a center
b
: to cause (a plane region or line) to sweep out a volume or surface by moving around an axis so that each of its points remains at a constant distance from the axis
generate a torus by rotating a circle about an external line
2
: to cause to grow in rotation
rotate crops
3
: to cause to pass or act in a series : alternate
4
: to exchange (individuals or units) with others
Examples of rotate in a Sentence
Verb
As the gear rotates, it turns the other gears.
The Earth rotates on its axis.
The planets rotate around the sun.
The software allows you to rotate images.
Rotate the sheet of paper 90 degrees.
The staff rotates the weekend shift.
We rotate—she does the dishes one week; I do them the next.
You should rotate your car's tires once a year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Toby Braun, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Defensively, roles are still to be determined on the line, but players rotate so frequently at that spot that there isn’t major intrigue in that battle.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Apopka City Council approved an agreement Wednesday night that would allow Matthew’s Hope to park a special sleeper bus at a series of rotating locations in the city, providing at least 20 overnight shelter beds.
—Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
Flay was among the rotating celebrity chefs who competed with Burrell, appearing in four seasons.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
But internal controls, like segregation of duties, dual approvals or rotating high-risk job functions, don’t signal distrust.
—Toby Braun, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Defensively, roles are still to be determined on the line, but players rotate so frequently at that spot that there isn’t major intrigue in that battle.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 19 June 2025
The Apopka City Council approved an agreement Wednesday night that would allow Matthew’s Hope to park a special sleeper bus at a series of rotating locations in the city, providing at least 20 overnight shelter beds.
—Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025
Flay was among the rotating celebrity chefs who competed with Burrell, appearing in four seasons.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotate
Cite this Entry
“Rotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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