: 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
Ellen Gray, Saveur, 15 May 2025
When baking in a skillet, rotate the pan a quarter turn every 10 minutes.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Tracks haven’t rotated in and out of the calendar since Hockenheim and the Nurburgring shared hosting duties for the German Grand Prix between 2008 and 2014.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
All five fingers flex and extend naturally, and the thumb can rotate both electrically and manually, allowing for a wide range of motions that feel intuitive and lifelike.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotate
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Verb
Bake for 30 minutes, then turn the heat to 375°F, rotate the pie, and continue baking until the filling is bubbling and the crust is deep golden brown, about 45 minutes more.
—Ellen Gray, Saveur, 15 May 2025
When baking in a skillet, rotate the pan a quarter turn every 10 minutes.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Tracks haven’t rotated in and out of the calendar since Hockenheim and the Nurburgring shared hosting duties for the German Grand Prix between 2008 and 2014.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
All five fingers flex and extend naturally, and the thumb can rotate both electrically and manually, allowing for a wide range of motions that feel intuitive and lifelike.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 May 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 20 May. 2025.
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