rotate

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​tate ˈrō-ˌtāt 

: having the parts flat and spreading or radiating like the spokes of a wheel

rotate blue flowers

rotate

2 of 2

verb

ro·​tate ˈrō-ˌtāt 

especially British rō-ˈtāt

rotated; rotating

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

rotatable

ˈrō-ˌtā-tə-bəl 

also rō-ˈtā-

adjective

Synonyms of rotate

Verb

• turn
• twirl
• swing
• spin
• twist
• swivel
• swirl
• pivot
• revolve

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

Verb

Watts initially rebuffed Jones’ offer to join the band, and the Stones carried on with a rotating crew that included Chapman, Steve Harris, Carlo Little, and Colin Folwell. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026

The stand can be rotated at two different hinges, while a third swivel is used to rotate the arm a full 360 degrees. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Typically, a rotating bonus category card will earn 5% cash back on new categories each month or quarter, up to a specific spending threshold. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

On the mezzanine level, the 1856 Gallery will display a rotating exhibition of archival designs and ephemera, exploring the innovations that have shaped Burberry since its founding. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin rota

Verb

Latin rotatus, past participle of rotare, from rota wheel — more at roll

First Known Use

Adjective

1760, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1757, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for rotate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

rotate

verb

ro·​tate

ˈrō-ˌtāt

rotated; rotating

1

: to turn or cause to turn about an axis or a center

the earth rotates

2

a

: to do or cause to do something in turn

b

: to pass in a series

the seasons rotate

3

: to cause to grow one after the other on the same land

rotate alfalfa and corn

rotatable

-ˌtāt-ə-bəl

adjective

rotator

-ˌtāt-ər

noun

Medical Definition

rotate

verb

ro·​tate

ˈrō-ˌtāt, especially British rō-ˈ

rotated; rotating

intransitive verb

: to turn about an axis or a center

transitive verb

: to cause to turn about an axis or a center

rotate the head