Definition of rotate
: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel rotate blue flowers
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Origin and Etymology of rotate
Latin rota
First Known Use: 1760
Other Botany Terms
Definition of rotate
rotated
;rotating
intransitive verb
1a : to perform an act, function, or operation in turnb : 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
transitive verb
1a : to cause to turn or move about an axis or a centerb : 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
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.
Origin and Etymology of rotate
Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll
First Known Use: 1757
ROTATE Defined for English Language Learners
rotate
playDefinition of rotate for English Language Learners
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: to move or turn in a circle
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: to regularly change the person who does a particular job so that all the members of a group do it at different times
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: to regularly change the place or position of things or people so that each takes the place of another
ROTATE Defined for Kids
rotate
playDefinition of rotate for Students
rotated
;rotating
1 : to turn about an axis or a center
2 : to go from one person to another or others in a cycle The staff rotates working weekends.
3 : to pass in a series The seasons rotate.
Medical Dictionary
rotate
playMedical Definition of rotate
rotated
;rotating
intransitive verb
: to turn about an axis or a centertransitive verb
: to cause to turn about an axis or a center rotate the head
Learn More about rotate
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See words that rhyme with rotate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rotate Spanish Central: Translation of rotate Nglish: Translation of rotate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rotate for Arabic speakers
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