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

He was spotted on Gdańsk Bridge by rotating security cameras, but when the cameras came back around after an interval of several minutes, Chris was gone. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

While Cowell has been away, AGT has brought in a rotating lineup of guest judges to fill his seat, including Kenan Thompson and previous judge Heidi Klum. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2026

The White House pool, which rotates daily, is composed of a small group of reporters given close face-to-face access to the president during events. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

This matter rotates in the same direction as the central young star, meaning planets that may emerge shuld also rotate in the same direction. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Sep. 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