rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən 
1
a(1)
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
(2)
: the act or an instance of rotating something
b
: one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation
2
a
: return or succession in a series
rotation of the seasons
b
3
: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
4
: a game of pool in which all 15 object balls are shot in numerical order
5
: the series of pitchers on a baseball team who regularly start successive games in turn
Examples of rotation in a Sentence
the rotation of the Earth around its axis
the rotation of the Moon around the Earth
The Earth makes one rotation every day.
Alfalfa and corn are planted in rotation.
the rotation of the job of club president
The car needs a tire rotation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists are unsure what to do because the current speeding-up may be a blip in a longer trend of Earth’s rotation slowing.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Lyles could be a target for contending teams looking to fill out their rotation with an offensive-minded big.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Atlanta altered its rotation ahead of the series to throw their three best pitchers, Spencer Schwellenbach, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, and finally, Strider, who is now 5-1 against the Mets in his career.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
But the team was widely believed to need to bolster its rotation at the trade deadline, and the club hung onto its top five prospects and dealt for Rays starter Zach Eflin and Marlins starter Trevor Rogers.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotation
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Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Lyles could be a target for contending teams looking to fill out their rotation with an offensive-minded big.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Atlanta altered its rotation ahead of the series to throw their three best pitchers, Spencer Schwellenbach, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, and finally, Strider, who is now 5-1 against the Mets in his career.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
But the team was widely believed to need to bolster its rotation at the trade deadline, and the club hung onto its top five prospects and dealt for Rays starter Zach Eflin and Marlins starter Trevor Rogers.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotation
Cite this Entry
“Rotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotation. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən
1
a
: the act of rotating especially on an axis
b
: one complete turn
2
Medical Definition
rotation
noun
ro·ta·tion
rō-ˈtā-shən
: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
specifically
: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
rotation of the head to look over the shoulder
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